Influencing policy, regulation and Law
What we do
We are building the capacity of civil society to act as a powerful voice for social and environmental justice in financial reform.
We do this in two ways.
- Providing ‘advocacy infrastructure’. Currently, this includes (i) sharing analysis and building understanding of how and why political and regulatory agendas matter for people and planet, (ii) cultivating a community that shares the Lab’s vision and works together to transform finance policy and regulation, and (iii) developing relationships with decision makers and influencers.
- Catalysing ‘strategic influencing initiatives’. New advocacy campaigns that lead to concrete and systemic changes which contribute to our vision for finance.
Our 2030 goals are to help bring about:
- a powerful voice for social and environmental justice driving change in financial policy and regulatory decision making;
- a new mental model in policy making in which the purpose of financial policy and regulation is to improve social and environmental outcomes; and
- financial regulation, law, policy, and industry standards that support and oblige financial institutions to align to the Paris Agreement and just transition principles.
Current campaign – Finance For Our Future
The Lab is a leading member of the Finance For Our Future campaign, which is made up of a coalition of over 30 civil society organisations.
Together, we are campaigning to improve the “Future Regulatory Framework” – a major post-Brexit government review that provides a unique opportunity to improve the purpose of financial regulation and question who holds power over it. The government has called this “a once-in-a-generation opportunity”. We are calling on the government to ensure its proposed new rules for our financial sector prioritise creating a fairer economy for the long term.
To find out more about the campaign and our work on the upcoming Financial Services and Markets Bill 2022, visit the Finance For Our Future website.
Why policy, regulation anD law?
The financial system is not like most other systems. Its policy and regulatory structure fundamentally defines the playing field and rules of the game. These rules may help maintain the status quo, but they can also hold the key to creating or incentivising major transformative change in the system.
This is a pivotal moment for the future of the UK finance sector. Following Brexit, with most policy decisions now being made in the UK, there is a unique opportunity to create a regulatory and legal framework that drives the financial system to good outcomes. At the same time, a fast-paced data revolution is taking place in the UK, and in financial services. With the growth of ‘fintechs’, the increasing role of Big Tech in finance, and new advances such as AI impacting our financial lives, policy and regulation is racing to match the speed of change.
Get involved
Transforming Finance network
The Transforming Finance Network brings together leading civil society advocates dedicated to making the finance system democratic, sustainable, just and resilient.
We meet regularly to share intelligence about the political and regulatory agenda relevant to finance, identify opportunities for influence, and increase our impact through joint reflection. The network has been co-convened by the Lab and Positive Money since 2013.
To find out more and get involved, contact us using the button below.
Transforming Data network
The Transforming Data Network brings together civil society and academics dedicated to ensuring that rapid technological change contributes to making the finance system more democratic, sustainable, just and resilient.
We meet regularly to build knowledge of new tech and data-driven business models, share intelligence about the political and regulatory agenda relevant to digital finance, and identify opportunities for influence. We increase our impact through joint reflection.
To find out more and get involved, contact us using the button below.
Key publications and insights – Influencing law, regulation and policy
For further insights from the programme, see our Influencing policy, regulation and law insights page.
