Speeches by Blake.

“It is probably something we would like to come on to with other witnesses, because you could create some quite challenging environments for people to have to accept. I wanted to come back to you a bit on the scams. You referred to the APP changes, saying that they were a bit watered down. Was that the movement from the…”

“Is there evidence that you could share with us about the impact of the £100 excess on older people? I am sure we would be interested to see it.”

“You started to talk a bit about possible practical solutions to this and you started making the distinction between essential services and other services. I am interested in this topic, and the Committee is interested in putting forward practical solutions in our recommendations. There is clearly a challenge in terms o…”

“I wanted to come back to practical solutions and whether the current framework supports people with cash acceptance, particularly around energy bills. Do you have any evidence to share on cash payment for energy costs, and on whether people are forced into less advantageous tariffs? Is there any evidence on that? I am …”

“Is there a way to not be on a meter tariff and still pay in cash? If there is not, should there be?”

“We have been talking a bit about resilience, and one of the vulnerabilities outlined by the FCA is about capability. Where do you think the real responsibility lies for tackling that vulnerability in capability, in terms of financial education and awareness?”

“We have heard a lot this afternoon about investment in the public sector and what the proposals will do to small businesses, but we have not heard the Opposition recognise that this country needs a healthy workforce. The Bill proposes a sustainable and manageable approach to funding that healthy workforce. Will the hon…”

“Can you elaborate on your final point about deterring financial crime and protecting against it? What might this do to the people trying to commit fraud?”

“Yes.”

“We have spent much of this session talking about the balance between risk and the impact on consumers. Earlier this year we saw the decrease in the maximum liability for repayments from £415,000 to £85,000. There was some discussion about what was driving that decision. Can you elaborate more on the trade-off between i…”

“Can you suggest any particular remits that you think should be withdrawn? I share and am always interested in this critique of Government policy: things are always added and never taken away. The Committee is really interested to know whether there are specific remits that you would take away.”

“This has been driven by a sense that fintech companies would be disadvantaged by the £415,000. On the number of claims, you have alluded to 99% being covered by the £85,000. So how do you think that change will balance innovation and risk taking?”

“We have spent much of this session talking about the balance between risk and the impact on consumers. Earlier this year we saw the decrease in the maximum liability for repayments from £415,000 to £85,000. There was some discussion about what was driving that decision. Can you elaborate more on the trade-off between i…”

“Can you suggest any particular remits that you think should be withdrawn? I share and am always interested in this critique of Government policy: things are always added and never taken away. The Committee is really interested to know whether there are specific remits that you would take away.”

“This has been driven by a sense that fintech companies would be disadvantaged by the £415,000. On the number of claims, you have alluded to 99% being covered by the £85,000. So how do you think that change will balance innovation and risk taking?”

“Yes.”

“What would that look like?”

“Can you elaborate on your final point about deterring financial crime and protecting against it? What might this do to the people trying to commit fraud?”

“What would that look like?”

“We have been talking a bit about resilience, and one of the vulnerabilities outlined by the FCA is about capability. Where do you think the real responsibility lies for tackling that vulnerability in capability, in terms of financial education and awareness?”