Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 26 June to Written Question 61630 on Investment, what steps she is taking to talking to support retail participation in UK capital markets following the cancellation of the retail sale of NatWest shares.

The Chancellor’s Leeds Reforms will give more people the confidence to invest in our world-leading capital markets, benefitting both consumers and the UK economy.

In particular, the Treasury is working closely with the FCA to roll out a system of targeted support in time for ISA season next year. This represents the biggest reform of the financial advice and guidance landscape in more than a decade, and will be a step change in the support available to consumers.

The Government will also move Long-Term Asset Funds from the Innovative Finance ISA to the Stocks & Shares ISA from April 2026. This should give more consumers access to the higher returns available from less liquid assets, while directing investment into productive assets that will drive economic growth.

In addition, the Government welcomes the industry-led initiatives to promote the benefits of investing to the public, and to reform how firms talk about the risks and benefits of investing.