DEBATE ON BANK CLOSURES

Yesterday I participated in a debate on bank closures.

I pointed out that North Ayrshire has suffered an alarming rate of bank closures with five towns in my constituency left with no bank at all, namely Dalry, Stevenston, Ardrossan, West Kilbride and Beith.

If RBS continues with its plans to close its branches of in Saltcoats, Kilwinning and Kilbirnie, Kilwinning, a town of around 16,000 people, will be added to that list.

This week, SNP Westminster leader brokered a deal to reprieve 10 of the 52 branches in Scotland earmarked for closure. That is progress but more needs to be done.

Despite the mean-spirited comments of some Tories representing Scottish constituencies which benefited from this deal, they refuse to give any credit to SNP Westminster leader, Ian Blackford, whilst the UK Government refuses to lift a finger to ensure RBS - 73% owned by the taxpayer - pauses and carries out impact assessments on the communities affected by these closures. So sad!

Myself and Team SNP in North Ayrshire will continue to fight to save our branches. This week RBS showed it is not deaf to public outrage and pressure so we in SNP North Ayrshire will be back on the streets collecting signatures for my Parliamentary Petition to make our voices heard.