Speeches

Grant Shapps – 2016 Parliamentary Question to the HM Treasury

The below Parliamentary question was asked by Grant Shapps on 2016-10-17.

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he plans to take to ensure that Britain’s financial services sector will stay competitive after the UK has left the EU.

Simon Kirby

As the Chancellor has set out, it is important Britain maintains its status as a great place for financial services and that is why the government stands ready to help the sector maximise the opportunities that leaving the EU presents. Britain has natural strengths, such as a central time zone and English language, alongside a globally respected regulatory system, world-class legal and professional services and a highly skilled financial services workforce, that will ensure it remains competitive after the UK has left the EU.

In addition, the government is committed to investing in home-grown talent, and will continue to welcome the best and brightest around the world to further contribute to the UK’s competitive position. Britain is already a world-leader in the global markets of the future including green and sustainable finance, FinTech, and renminbi and rupee products.

The government is maintaining an open dialogue with the financial services industry, including through the Financial Services Trade and Investment Board, as it prepares to withdraw from the EU.