Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to ensure that banks support innovation in relation to (a) digital assets and (b) other areas.

The government recognises the transformative potential of new technologies in the financial services sector and has made innovation and technology one of the key pillars of its Financial Services Growth and Competitiveness Strategy. The government is committed to enabling and supporting increased digital adoption, as well as other new technologies, that have the potential to increase productivity and open up new products and services. The government will publish this strategy at Mansion House on the 15^th July.

This is in addition to measures the government has already taken to ensure that banks support innovation, such as the commitment set out in the National Payments Vision to establish a Long-Term Regulatory Framework for Open Banking. This framework will provide the clarity and certainty needed to facilitate further innovation and investment.