Protesting MP reveals he was former RBS employee
Stirling MP Stephen Kerr used a Parliamentary speech to highlight his opposition to plans by RBS branches to close in the area – before announcing that he used to work for the banking giant.
Mid Scotland and Fife Labour MSP Claire Baker also had her say on the issue following a debate at the Scottish Parliament.
RBS announced earlier this month that branches in Bannockburn, Dunblane and Bridge of Allan will shut down in the new year – sparking an angry reaction from those within the communities affected.
And Mr Kerr told his fellow elected representatives at a Finance Bill debate last Monday (December 18) that the news could have a significant impact on the areas in question.
He said: “In Bannockburn, Dunblane, Bridge of Allan and the Springkerse estate in Stirling, RBS and the Bank of Scotland are leaving communities without adequate access to banking.
“RBS is closing its branch in Bridge of Allan, which happens to be the place where I live.
“In the past eight months alone, the Clydesdale bank, the Bank of Scotland and the TSB have all closed their branches, and now RBS is too. That leaves the Post Office in Fountain Road as the only place where anyone will be able to do any over-the-counter banking.”
The Tory politician guilty of means that they owe the British people something more.
“There is a case for them having the social responsibility to maintain a presence in the communities of my constituency, such as in Bannockburn, Dunblane, Bridge of Allan and the rural parts of the constituency. I am afraid that a mobile bank does not quite meet the need.”
Ms Baker MSP shared her thoughts on the issue during a debate at Holyrood.
Her constituency alone has been hit by news of 26 bank closures in the last year – with TSB, Clydesdale and Bank of Scotland all also set to shut branches.
After the debate she said: “The Royal Bank of Scotland used to say that it would not close the last bank in town. However we can now see a whole host of towns and villages have lost all their high street banks.
“Many of these branches, whether it was RBS, TSB, Clydesdale or Bank of Scotland, served rural communities and towns, and were often the main focal point of the high street and a vital source of employment.
“These banks also supported many local businesses that will now have to travel further afield to do their day-to-day business banking.
“For the region to have lost 26 banks in the course of one year is simply unacceptable. This will hit those who do not, or cannot, use internet banking the hardest.
“Many elderly customers largely rely on their local branch and there are still
RBS and Bank of Scotland both must think again in their latest round of closures and save our local banks