More ATMs in Westminster than Main St
Parly’s better off in banking terms
There are more cash machines in the House of Commons than on Cambuslang Main Street, MPs were told during a debate about bank closures.
Gerard Killen MP told his colleagues that Cambuslang had seen all three of its bank branches close within two years when he spoke at a parliamentary debate on the latest cuts proposed by RBS.
The bank has already closed its Cambuslang and Burnside branches, as well as Blantyre.
Mr Killen has urged all those effected by the closures to share their stories with him as he aims to fight further changes.
He said: “Six local bank branches will have closed in Rutherglen and Hamilton West, with both Blantyre and Cambuslang no longer served by any branches.
“Not only does this present a problem for those who may struggle to travel further, it creates challenges for businesses who may need to bank cash and access services locally and risks exacerbating the very real issue of declining footfall on our high streets.
“In Cambuslang, there are now only two ATM machines and both frequently run out of money, harming local businesses in the area.
“There are now more cash machines in this house than there are on Cambuslang Main Street in my constituency.”
Asking secretary of state David Mundell what was being done to protect essential services, Mr Killen added: “Almost 20 per cent of people do not have internet access at home. Many of these people are older and often less well off, they rely on their local branches to meet their needs. It is simply not good enough for banks to assume that a mobile phone app or a website can take the place of a local branch.
“The more evidence we can gather that this latest round of closures is again going to put pressure on the most vulnerable, the better our chances of preventing it. I urge anyone affected to get in touch and tell me their story.”
Constituents can submit their stories by logging on to gedkillen. com, or post their statements to Gerard Killen, House of Commons, London, SW1A 0AA.