South Holland and the Deepings MP Sir John Hayes spoke in a House of Commons debate this week calling for banking hubs in South Holland so that people can still use face-to-face banking services.
He spoke on a debate put forward by fellow Conservative Gagan Mohindra called Access to Banking Hubs: Hertfordshire.
Speaking in Parliament last week, Sir John said: “This is a problem felt across Britain, as banks abandon their customers and close branches in my constituency in Crowland, the Deepings, Holbeach, Long Sutton and Sutton Bridge.
“The key thing about this issue is that it affects those least able to bank online; it also affects all of us who believe that banking should be an experience where people meet other people and personal service counts.”
In the debate, Sir John called on the government to take steps to ensure that any community with a population of 5,000 or more gets a banking hub.
After the debate, Sir John Hayes said: “Rural areas such as ours are disproportionately damaged when banks close, and so it is vital that people retain access to face-to-face banking services.
“I regularly hear from my constituents who tell me they struggle to access cash and other banking services since high street banks in our area have closed.
“I’ve met with the banks, with Link (who run the UK’s cash machine network) and with the Payment Choice Alliance who advocate for people and firms who still want to use cash, and will continue to raise this vital matter in Parliament.”
