Holyrood unites on rural ATM closures

A Fife MSP has led a Holyrood bid to stop the closure of cash machines in Scotland.

The future of ATMs is under threat from a drop in the fee that operators receive from banks for each transaction.

Dean Lockhart, the Tory MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, has written to the organisation responsible.

The cause was backed in Holyrood yesterday by politicians from the three biggest parties, as well as Business Minister Paul Wheelhouse.

Mr Lockhart, who secured the debate, said he has written to the chairman of the Link Scheme to “call for the proposed changes to be reconsidered, and for the Link Network and member banks to take another look at the impact of these proposals on consumers, small businesses and communities”.

The threat to ATMs comes as RBS and Bank of Scotland plan to close more than 100 branches in Scotland, including 10 in Tayside and Fife. The Courier is campaigning against the closures.

In yesterday’s debate, Mairi Gougeon, the SNP MSP for Angus North and Mearns, tore into RBS saying she was “absolutely disgusted” to see the bank announce huge profits, but fail to reverse branch closures.

LINK, which says there are too many machines in built-up areas, says it will do “whatever it takes to retain free access to cash for all communities”.

Dean Lockhart.