‘Banking for Britain: The role of financial services in levelling up’

Public First has published a new report ‘Banking for Britain: The role of financial services in levelling up’ for the APPG for Financial Markets and Services. You can access the report HERE

Despite financial services being the UK’s largest taxpayer, one of its largest employers and contributing around 10% of its total economic output, there has been relatively little analysis of the role it can play in levelling up. The APPG commissioned Public First to conduct research that would fill this gap.

Based on a series of roundtables in cities around the country, an industry consultation and interviews with experts – engaging over 70 different financial organisations – the report sets out the significant impact the financial services sector already has on each of the ‘missions’ identified in the Levelling Up White Paper and makes 16 practical recommendations for how government and industry can take this further.

Public First’s research also included a nationally representative poll and a series of focus groups to explore in-depth how the public perceive the industry and what role they want it to have in supporting levelling up.

As the new government seeks to set out its own distinctive approach to Levelling Up, we hope this report will act as a blueprint for how the financial services industry play its full role in delivering growth and supporting communities across the country.

The report was launched at an event in Manchester organised by UK Finance for over 150 leaders in financial services from across the North of England.