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Gold and Foreign Exchange Reserves

Asked by David ReedConservativeTreasuryTabled Answered 8 September 2026UIN 26430

The question

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when his department last conducted a review of the appropriate proportion of the UK’s official international reserves to be held in gold; and whether he will publish the conclusions of that review.

Answered by Treasury

The Exchange Equalisation Account (EEA) has held 9.98 million ounces of gold since March 2002. The Government has no plans to permanently change the stock of gold it holds.

HM Treasury and the Bank of England agree the strategic asset allocation of EEA annually. The allocation is determined in line with the EEA’s policy objectives and its investment principles of readiness, risk tolerance and optimising risk-adjusted return.

Gold remains an important component of the EEA’s diversified portfolio.

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