Policy paper

Summary note of the fifth meeting of the Financial Inclusion Committee: 23 June 2026

Updated 8 July 2026

Attendees

Rachel Blake MP, Economic Secretary to the Treasury (Chair) (EST)

Doug Brown, Aviva

Professor Martin Coppack, University of Birmingham and Fair by Design

Hannah Gurga, The ABI (Association of British Insurers)

Michelle Highman, The Money Charity

Rosamund Brosnan, HM Treasury

Sophie Macnair, HM Treasury

Vicki Sellick MBE, Good Things Foundation

Dame Clare Moriarty DCB, Citizens Advice

Oliver Morley CBE, Money and Pensions Service

Kate Pender, Fair4All Finance

Eric Leenders, UK Finance (deputising for David Postings)

Sarah Pritchard, Financial Conduct Authority

Jasjyot Singh OBE, Lloyds Banking Group

Helen Undy OBE, Money and Mental Health Policy Institute

Emma Thomas, Experian (deputising for Jonathan Westley)

Sam Smethers, Surviving Economic Abuse

Susan Allen, Yorkshire Building Society

Will Sandbook, Nest Insight

Rebecca Brindley, Disability and Access Ambassador for the Banking Sector

Apologies

David Postings, UK Finance

Jonathan Westley, Experian

Opening

The Minister opened the meeting by reaffirming her personal commitment to financial inclusion and welcomed new members to the Committee.

HM Treasury Update

The Minister provided an update on progress since the publication of the Financial Inclusion Strategy, including the introduction of the Enhancing Financial Services Bill.

Members discussed the development of metrics to track progress against the Strategy.

There was broad agreement on the importance of outcomes-based measures, including capturing the three strategy themes of economic abuse, mental health, and accessibility. Members emphasised the value of lived experience and the importance of viewing metrics from a consumer perspective rather than a product lens.

HM Treasury will engage with Committee members on outcomes-based metrics ahead of the next meeting.

Intervention Deep Dives

Inclusive Design and Access to Banking

Eric Leenders outlined the submissions process for the first Inclusive Design Challenge window, noting that a good number of applications had been received which are now being worked through. UK Finance and its members have also made progress in establishing the Breaking the Cycle pilot for those with no fixed abode who need a bank account, publishing Accessible Cards Guidance, and delivering banking hubs.

Small Sum Lending Pilot

Kate Pender outlined that Fair4All Finance has launched its small sum loan pilot with Monzo as the first participant. Members discussed the potential benefits of the pilot alongside consideration of small sum lending within a broader ecosystem of products that support financial resilience.

Travel Insurance

Helen Undy outlined that the Travel Insurance Working Group is continuing to make constructive progress. Current work is focused on improving how medical information is captured in pricing decisions and how existing approaches reflect risk. Hannah Gurga highlighted that an interim report will be provided to HM Treasury later this year.

Economic Abuse

Hannah Gurga outlined that positive progress has been made on the development of an industry good practice guide on economic abuse, with publication expected later in the year. Sam Smethers welcomed the strong emphasis on lived experience in shaping the guidance and Susan Allen committed to take forward any learnings for the building societies sector.

Workplace Savings

Will Sandbrook noted that the National Coalition for Workplace Savings has launched and is building momentum among employers. Oliver Morley highlighted that an annual report on progress would be provided to the Economic Secretary by the Coalition’s chair. Members discussed regulatory considerations and opportunities to further support participation and scale.

Forward Look and Next Steps

Members discussed priorities for future deep dives, agreeing to focus on:

• Outcomes from the Inclusive Design Challenge
• Credit restoration
• Financial education and capability

There was also interest in further discussion on smart data and the cost of living, including links to tackling problem debt.

Closing remarks

The Minister thanked members for their contributions and confirmed that the next meeting will return to the development of metrics as a priority.