A Public Bank

Part of 4. Topical Questions – in the Senedd at 3:16 pm on 6 December 2017.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Russell George Russell George Conservative 3:16, 6 December 2017

Can I agree with the contribution from Mick Antoniw? I would say there's not one Member in this Chamber who's successfully been able to change a bank's mind once they've taken their decision. I have previously raised in this Chamber the idea of the Government facilitating discussions between the bank and the Financial Conduct Authority and other partners to explore a community banking model that would see banks share services. Now, I've heard what you've said about post offices and credit unions, but when I've raised this proposal before with your colleagues in Government, in the Chamber here, I've always had a positive response. The First Minister gave me a positive response earlier this year, saying that he would consider that proposal. But, can I ask what developments there have been? I don't really want to hear one word saying it's a good idea; what I want to hear is an update. Have you met with the banks? Have your colleagues met with the banks? Have you had discussions with the Financial Conduct Authority? Can we make progress on Government facilitating discussions with the banks to take this forward?