Public affairs and policy
We consider how legislation and regulation will affect our customers, colleagues and shareholders, advising the Government and regulators on the impact industry changes will have.
Our work in this area
As the bank of choice for 26 million people and businesses across a range of historic brands, Lloyds Banking Group touches nearly every community and household in the UK.
We are often approached by politicians and other policymakers to provide our views and help shape public policy.
We do that by engaging with elected representatives at every level, including Parliament, the devolved institutions and local government, as well as civil servants, regulators, trade associations and think tanks.
We do this in a way that is consistent with our values and that meets the expectations of society.
Public policy
We want to play our role in Helping Britain Prosper. Our thematic priorities are:
- Providing access to good and sustainable housing.
- Enabling the transition to net zero.
- Accelerating regional development across the UK.
- Building financial resilience and inclusion.
- Being a leader in inclusion and diversity.
We provide politicians and policymakers with briefings on these topics and insights from our business.
Constituency insight
We publish regular factsheets for all 650 UK parliamentary constituencies which provide information about our presence and activity in each constituency, economic statistics and details of our responsible business agenda in the local community.
Group Ambassador Programme
Our Ambassadors are senior leaders from across the Group who represent us in all the nations and regions of the UK. Their role is to help us better understand the specific needs and interests of the places they represent and make sure we are doing what we can to support their nation or region.
They engage with politicians, business leaders, local authorities and charities – among others – to raise awareness about the Group’s activity in the nation or region, and to discuss how we can work together to help the communities and businesses of the UK prosper.
Research, legislation and how we work with others
Research
We develop and commission research to inform public policy debates. This includes:
Decarbonising the UK’s homes – a housing stocktake 2023
Scottish Widows 2023 Retirement Report
Trade associations
We are a member of various trade associations which seek to represent their members and shape the banking industry’s or financial services sector’s collective response to regulatory and public policy issues. The main associations in which we participate are listed below:
Agencies
We retain the services of a number public affairs agencies for the purposes of political monitoring and/or strategic advice.
The agencies we work with are members of the Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA), and the services provided are recorded on the PRCA’s Public Affairs Register.
The activities of other organisations and agencies which provide strategic advice and lobbying are recorded by the Office of the Registrar of Consultant Lobbyists.
Political donations and expenditure
Political donations and expenditure are governed by legislation with which we and our employees must comply. It is our policy not to make political donations to, or campaign on behalf of, any political party in any country.
The Companies Act 2006 sets out what constitutes political donations and expenditure. The definitions are drawn widely and may cover activities that are an accepted part of engaging with our stakeholders but are not designed to support any political party or to influence public support for any political party. As such, at each Lloyds Banking Group Annual General Meeting we seek authority from shareholders to incur political expenditure up to a predetermined limit. This authority is a precautionary measure to ensure that we can continue to support our communities and put forward our views without inadvertently breaching the legislation.
The Lobbying (Scotland) Act 2016
The Act provides a definition of ‘regulated lobbying’ and requires that anyone who engages in regulated lobbying records details of their activities on the official Lobbying Register of the Scottish Parliament. The website of the Lobbying Register offers a searchable record of our entries.
News and insight
The latest news, expertise and thought leadership from the Group.
Giving first-time buyers a boost
What are the risks and benefits of buying a house with a friend or sibling?
Half of first-time buyers are now willing to consider “non-traditional routes” to be able to afford a home.
How might blockchain technology transform financial services?
Kim Verhaaf, Managing Director, Group Payments at Lloyds Banking Group and Dan Maggs Senior Manager, Blockchain / Digital Currencies explore how blockchain technology could transform financial services.
More news and insight
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