Finance Innovation Lab

We're looking forward to contributing to this panel! Do sign up on the link below, if you haven't already. #AffordableCredit #FairBankingForAll #FairBankingAct @thefinancelab.bsky.social

New report out this week from our friends at @responsiblecred.bsky.social, highlighting why the goal shouldn't just be to improve access to credit - but to improve access to credit that's safe, affordable, and responsible. www.responsible-credit.org.uk/reports/in-t...

New report from @fairness.bsky.social backs a #FairBankingAct to improve banks’ cooperation with credit unions & CDFIs and expand access to affordable credit. Good growth in every postcode needs finance in every postcode. fairnessfoundation.com/banking-on-l... #FairBankingForAll

What will it take to deliver “good growth in every postcode”? Our Director of Campaigns sets out why we need a bigger National Wealth Fund, stronger regional banks and a thriving community finance sector to make it a reality. renewal.org.uk/blog/financi...

Britain needs to invest more in its future. The National Wealth Fund is a way for the government to invest lower energy bills, green industries and better infrastructure. But we're not investing as much as we could be. 🚨

Too many small businesses still struggle to access the finance they need to grow. CDFIs are stepping in where mainstream lenders fall short. A #FairBankingAct could help scale their role and widen access to fair, affordable credit. #FairBankingForAll www.thetimes.com/article/6e7d...

Small businesses need access to fair, affordable finance to invest, grow and thrive. But gaps in mainstream lending are leaving some reliant on expensive, unsustainable debt. That’s why we’re calling for a #FairBankingAct. @fbfacampaign.bsky.social www.thetimes.com/article/8f49...

Small businesses are being pushed into high-cost debt because too many cannot access fair, affordable finance. New reporting from The Times shows why we need a #FairBankingAct to hold lenders accountable and make sure businesses can access the credit they need. www.thetimes.com/article/8f49...

The Chancellor says the next chapter of Britain’s growth story will be written in more places. To help make that happen, 29 MPs have written to him calling for a #FairBankingAct. #FairBankingForAll @fbfacampaign.bsky.social @gareththomasmp.bsky.social financeinnovationlab.org/mps-urge-the...

📢 29 MPs have written to Chancellor John Healey calling for a #FairBankingAct to expand affordable credit and support growth in every postcode. #FairBankingForAll @gareththomasmp.bsky.social financeinnovationlab.org/mps-urge-the...

The Lab is closed this week. 🌿 Here's why - As an organisation holding others to account, it’s vital we live by the values we seek to inspire. For our work to remain sustainable, we need a culture that supports longevity. We close every August for a week of organisational rest. Back on Mon 24 Aug

Britain’s banks can do more to unlock opportunity in the communities they serve. @gareththomasmp.bsky.social's call for Barclays, Santander and HSBC to invest £30m in local lenders shows why we need a #FairBankingAct. @fbfacampaign.bsky.social #FairBankingForAll

Pleased to see today’s @thetimes.com cover my call for HSBC, Barclays & Santander to each invest £10m in CDFIs & credit unions. Everyone with a viable business deserves a fair chance to access finance. @thefinancelab.bsky.social, @responsiblefinance.bsky.social www.thetimes.com/article/a9b1...

Today in @thetimes.com: Former business minister wants Barclays, Santander and HSBC to each provide £10 million to ‘help unlock economic opportunity in areas that need it most’. @gareththomasmp.bsky.social #FairBankingForAll www.thetimes.com/article/a9b1...

"A Fair Banking Act is essential to allowing every postcode to access growth" In @labourlist.bsky.social, @gareththomasmp.bsky.social sets out why Parliament should pass a #FairBankingAct. #FairBankingForAll labourlist.org/2026/07/fair...

‘If we are serious about spreading opportunity across the country, we cannot ignore the financial infrastructure that makes growth possible. That is why Parliament should pass a Fair Banking Act’ 👏 @gareththomasmp.bsky.social @fbfacampaign.bsky.social #FairBankingForAll tinyurl.com/bde2mua5

Lots to like in this piece from @liambyrnemp.bsky.social! 📈 Big scale up in investment via National Wealth Fund & pension funds 🏦 Devolve wealth through regional banks 🤝 Invest in communities through a UK Community Reinvestment Act #FairBankingForAll labourlist.org/2026/07/lets...

Devolution needs capital. @liambyrnemp.bsky.social argues that regional growth depends on local investment. A UK Community Reinvestment Act would ensure banks support communities, help finance SMEs, high streets and local jobs. #FairBankingForAll labourlist.org/2026/07/lets...

Very proud to have co-authored this report, which argues that a government scheme backed by cheap lending from the Bank of England could allow 8m+ households to install rooftop solar systems with NO upfront cost, and £250 pa savings. #financingcostsaretheproblem

Low-cost loans for solar panels could save households hundreds on bills - our research with @thefinancelab.bsky.social in the Guardian. www.theguardian.com/environment/...

New research out today: How government & Bank of England could make rooftop solar an affordable option for 8 million households. No upfront costs. Saving average £250 a year off energy bills. Boosting UK energy security & financial resilience. www.theguardian.com/environment/...

Thank you @gareththomasmp.bsky.social for combining Charlotte's lived insight with policy and regulatory expertise to discuss next steps in access to #AffordableCredit. #FairBankingforAll

Honoured to have been asked to contribute to UN Roadmap for Eradicating Poverty Beyond Growth. Our contribution - on reorientating financial regulation to deliver socially useful and ecologically sustainable outcomes is here: www.neep-poverty.org/roadmap-for-...

Financial Inclusion for Scotland's Sharon McPherson attended the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Fair Banking in London yesterday, alongside representatives from @thefinancelab.bsky.social, @fair4allfinance.bsky.social, @fairbydesign.bsky.social and the FCA, hosted by Gareth Thomas MP.

'Too often it's those with the least who end up paying the most'. There is real potential to use the Financial Services Bill to drive big changes in financial services. We're excited to work with peers, and our allies in civil society and industry to make sure the opportunity doesn't pass us by.

We're in Parliament today with @gareththomasmp.bsky.social - starting with hearing from Charlotte, who shared her experience on having to use high cost credit. #FairBankingForAll

£1.08tn of the UK economy is highly exposed to potential financial risk from nature loss. Knowing the size of risk exposure & sectors where nature matters most are key to understanding how regulation & investment can build UK financial resilience. countries.encorenature.org/

How do purpose-driven organisations like the Lab approach the opportunities and challenges that AI offers? Our outgoing Director of People and Operations shares the Lab's thinking here. financeinnovationlab.org/our-journey-...

Thanks to Baroness Kramer and other peers who spoke during Financial Services Bill debate this week and explained why we need to grow #CreditUnions and #CDFIs if we want a financial system that works for everyone New blog here: tinyurl.com/mrx7ejeu @fbfacampaign.bsky.social #FairBankingForAll

Have a read of my piece on the more than £300bn of illicit funds flowing through the UK each year and what we can do to tackle it 👇🏻

At least £325 billion of dirty money from financial crime, money laundering, corruption, illegal trade and tax dodging flows through the UK every year and causes real harm, read our report here. bit.ly/4u3mBgj

We strongly concur with @philbrickellmp.bsky.social's call in today's @theguardian.com for more resourcing to fight corruption in response to @thefinancelab.bsky.social's research👇 "It’s time to give our enforcement agencies the resources they need to crack down on the scourge of economic crime".

Nearly 9 in 10 people in the UK want the government to take economic crime more seriously. They’re right to. New research shows at least £325 billion in money linked to corruption, tax dodging and organised crime flows through the UK every year. tinyurl.com/5n88krdn

Our new research estimates at least £325 billion of dirty money flows through the UK every year. UK - especially City of London - remains a global hub for money laundering, corruption & tax abuse. www.theguardian.com/business/202...

We must keep the #CostOfLiving on the agenda. Yesterday, @gareththomasmp.bsky.social told the Commons “Millions of people and thousands of small businesses are locked out of #AffordableCredit” - and said the new Financial Services Bill could be a step toward fixing this. #FairBankingForAll

"The upshot is that even pension schemes that have promised not to invest in fossil fuels have ploughed money into funds that are paying for major gas projects." @tbij.bsky.social investigate where UK public sector pensions are really being invested.

We are seeking a #Treasurer (#NonExecutiveDirector) to join our Board A key governance role providing strategic financial oversight, safeguarding integrity & strengthening accountability. If you are dedicated to advancing #TaxJustice & ready to make a global difference, apply bit.ly/4aJt615

The Lab has joined a call by leading civil society organisations for the government to deliver an ambitious transition plan policy. Read the letter in full here ⬇️. bit.ly/4ceV8SQ

Today, at 3rd Reading of the #PensionSchemesBill, responding to calls from Baroness Hayman, government committed to produce new guidance to clarify investment duties so pension funds can account for systemic risks like #ClimateChange. 🧵

It's been a year since @mchshe.bsky.social's documentary was shown - find out what has happened in the #FairBankingForAll campaign since then.

'Pension schemes are powerful investors in the economy. The decisions they make today will shape not only financial outcomes for retirees, but also the kind of world those retirees will live in' 👏 www.politicshome.com/opinion/arti...

Thank you Martin Rhodes MP for meeting again with Glasgow residents who have lived experienced of exclusion from affordable credit. Great to discuss the #FairBankingAct as well as delivery & timelines for the government's Financial Inclusion Strategy. #FairBankingForAll