The UK Government has held exploratory discussions with the investment industry over changing listing rules to encourage high growth companies and start-ups to list in London as politicians explore ways to boost the City of London if the UK leaves the EU early next year, according to a report in The Financial Times.

The talks explored ways to encourage more initial public offerings, such as changes to the listing rules.

Among measures explored were the use of dual class structures that are attractive to founder-led start-ups and relaxing the requirement to report earnings every three months, the report said.

Trade associations involved in the discussions included the Investment Association, which represents fund managers, and UK Finance, the banking lobby group.

Both declined to comment. The government also declined to comment.