We understand the need for Treasury Ministers to be well informed of the regulators’ policy intentions as a matter of routine. However, we have not been provided with compelling evidence to justify changing the law to allow Ministers the absolute right to see financial services regulators’ policy proposals before they are published for consultation as opposed to the current arrangements whereby significant interaction between Ministers and regulators happens informally as a matter of routine....

We understand the need for Treasury Ministers to be well informed of the regulators’ policy intentions as a matter of routine. However, we have not been provided with compelling evidence to justify changing the law to allow Ministers the absolute right to see financial services regulators’ policy proposals before they are published for consultation as opposed to the current arrangements whereby significant interaction between Ministers and regulators happens informally as a matter of routine. By doing so, the perception of regulatory independence from government could be damaged. The independence of regulators to be free from political interf Type: conclusion | Number: 3 | Paragraph: 36 | Response status: under_consideration Government response: The Committee raises concerns that the proposals put forward by the Government, allowing for earlier feedback from the Treasury during the policy formation process, will damage the perception of regulatory independence, even if they do not in