Pramod Thomas is a senior correspondent with Asian Media Group since 2020, bringing 19 years of journalism experience across business, politics, sports, communities, and international relations. His career spans both traditional and digital media platforms, with eight years specifically focused on digital journalism. This blend of experience positions him well to navigate the evolving media landscape and deliver content across various formats. He has worked with national and international media organisations, giving him a broad perspective on global news trends and reporting standards.
THE Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) is under fire from MPs who have raised 'serious questions' about its recent review of the debanking scandal, calling it a 'whitewash', reported the Telegraph.
The FCA on Tuesday (19) said that there is no evidence so far that Britain's banks have been closing accounts because of people's political views, though more detailed scrutiny is needed.
British finance minister Jeremy Hunt last month asked the FCA to urgently investigate terminations of bank accounts and suggested that lenders who have broken the law should be fined.
The practice, known as 'debanking' became a political issue after former Brexit Party leader Nigel Farage said his account at private bank Coutts, part of NatWest, had been closed due to his political views.
The FCA said that it looked at data from 34 banks and building societies, focusing on July 2022 to June 2023, but the speed of its inquiries meant there were some gaps, limitations and inconsistencies to information provided.
The watchdog's failure to include Nigel Farage's case at Coutts, where his account was threatened with closure due to his beliefs, has triggered controversy.
FCA officials defended their decision not to investigate Farage's case, stating that it was a 'high-profile example' being handled separately by the bank involved and that it fell outside the reporting period.
This explanation did not appease critics, who accused the FCA of conducting a superficial review.
Farage himself denounced the review as 'a whitewash and an absolute farce' and called for a complete overhaul of the FCA's leadership.
Tory MP Danny Kruger echoed these sentiments, asserting that the FCA had merely asked banks if they were guilty without actively seeking input from potential victims. He also called for a closer examination of the FCA itself.
The FCA's review did identify eight cases where the 'expression of political or any other opinions' was suspected as a reason for account closures. However, the watchdog concluded that this was not the primary reason in any of these cases. Instead, customer behaviour, including the use of racist language against staff, was the predominant factor leading to debanking.
Criticism also stemmed from the quality of the data collected during the review. The FCA admitted that some of the data supplied by institutions was unverified, and it acknowledged that as many as 20 per cent of account suspensions and closures were attributed to "Other," leaving the watchdog uncertain about the reasons behind these actions.
Nikhil Rathi, chief executive of the FCA, told the Telegraph that while no financial institution reported closing accounts primarily due to political views, further verification of bank-submitted data was necessary.
City minister Andrew Griffith acknowledged the FCA's report and emphasised the need for more robust validation of banks' submissions and a thorough follow-up on debanked customer perspectives.
While the FCA review found no evidence of political debanking, it did find that UK expats were facing the most at risk of having their accounts shut or suspended.
Separately, the FCA is reviewing how banks conduct mandatory extra checks on 'politically exposed' customers and their families for money laundering risks, with a report due by the end of June 2024.
Licensing reforms let pubs host events and serve outdoors with ease
South Asian workers turned pub rejection into a thriving desi pub scene.
South Asian pubs mix Indian cuisine, Punjabi beats, and British pub culture.
From rejection to reinvention
When south Asian foundry and factory workers arrived in England decades ago, they faced a harsh reality, refusal at the pub doors and their response was by building their own. From The Scotsman in Southall over 50 years old, run by Shinda Mahal, to Birmingham’s The Grove and The Covered Wagon, these establishments emerged as immigrant workers from India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh moved to the West Midlands.
Now, as the UK government launches a fast-track review to scrap outdated licensing rules, these south Asian pubs stand ready to write a new chapter in British hospitality. “Pubs and bars are the beating heart of our communities. Under our Plan for Change, we’re backing them to thrive”, said prime minister Keir Starmer.
The new reforms aim to slash pointless restrictions that have stifled community events and local venues for years. From serving food outside to hosting live music, red tape has made simple operations unnecessarily complex. For south Asian pub owners, who have already overcome decades of resistance, this signals an opportunity to expand while maintaining the cultural spaces they fought to establish.
The spirit of the Desi pub
The documentary Rise of the Mixy directed by Gurudev Singh chronicles how these establishments emerged from racial resistance to become the symbols of British Asian culture, combining public houses with Indian food and Punjabi music.
"I think in the Midlands there's a strong sense of community, especially among Asians and Punjabis," Gurudev told the BBC. This community spirit defines desi pubs, where tandoori mixed grills sizzle alongside draught ale and dartboards.
David Jesudason, Beer Writer of the Year 2023 and the author of Desi Pubs, in an interview with LBC Blog told “Many metropolitan city dwellers particularly in gentrified London have no idea about this kind of ground-level work. But none of it wouldn’t have taken place without desi landlords taking over failing pubs and making them inclusive spaces”.
A toast to the future
The timing couldn't be better. The beer and pub sector supports over £30 billion being pushed into the economy, £18 billion in taxes, and one million jobs, according to the British Beer and Pub Association. Yet the industry faces mounting pressures. Approximately 46,000 pubs are trading across the UK as of early 2025, with closures threatening communities nationwide.
A Frontier Economics report highlights how UK pubs serve residents and visitors alike, supporting jobs whilst delivering vital social value. South Asian pubs are reshaping this landscape with fresh energy while cherishing British traditions. Over the last 20 years, West Midlands south Asian-owned public houses have transformed from regional particularity into a trend capturing national press attention and online food bloggers. The reforms promise practical relief.
Pubs will find it easier to host community events, extend trading hours, and use outdoor spaces without bureaucratic hurdles. For desi establishments already juggling cultural events, live music, and food service, this means freedom to innovate without constantly battling licensing restrictions.
Nick Mackenzie, co-chair of the Licensing Taskforce and CEO at Greene King, emphasised the sector's challenges: "Pubs are faced with continued rising costs, placing them under enormous pressures, which is why the government must continue to back the sector, including critical reforms on business rates which would unlock opportunities for pubs to invest and help drive economic growth."
For south Asian pub owners, the message is clear, the barriers that once kept their grandparents out of British pubs won't be the same ones holding back their businesses. From The Scotsman to countless West Midlands establishments, these venues represent resilience, integration, and a uniquely British Asian an identity. As red tape falls away, they're poised to show that the best of British pub culture can flourish with a distinctly south Asian flavour no permission slips required.
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