LONDON, March 6 (Reuters) - Britain's finance ministry

said on Wednesday it will introduce regulation for providers of

environmental, social and governance (ESG) ratings on companies

to improve "clarity and trust" in benchmarks widely used to

steer investments.

The ministry was following up on its public consultation

last year, and since then a voluntary industry code of conduct

has been introduced as a stop gap for the unregulated ratings

activity.

"A full consultation response and legislative steps will

follow later this year," the ministry said in a statement.