Call for public to be given RBS and Lloyds shares

VOTERS should all be given free shares in RBS and Lloyds in a move to re-privatise the bailed-out banks, a right-wing think tank said today.

Picture: TSPL

Around 48 million people would able to apply for shares worth up to £1650, under the scheme drawn up by Policy Exchange.

They could only sell them once they rose above a certain “floor price” but would take the profit on the sale and return the original price to the Government. The think-tank said it would create a new generation of shareholders,

RBS and Lloyds were rescued in 2008 and the Government now owns 81 per cent and 39 per cent of the companies. Chancellor George Osborne is due to outline his plans for the disposal of Lloyds at his Mansion House speech to the City later this month.