Government may sell UK’s remaining stake in Natwest to public, says Jeremy Hunt

British government still owns 38.6% of the high street bank it bailed out in the 2008 financial crisis

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The UK government will explore options for selling off its remaining 38.6% stake in the high street lender NatWest Group to the public within a year, bringing it back to full private ownership, Jeremy Hunt has announced.

Delivering his autumn statement in parliament, the chancellor said he would “explore options” for a retail share offer in the next 12 months but said it would be “subject to supportive market conditions and achieving value for money”. This means shares can be bought by anyone, not just financial institutions.