BANKING IN NORTH AYRSHIRE

Last night I secured a debate on banking in North Ayrshire. With RBS set to close branches in Saltcoats, Kilwinning and Kilbirnie there is great and understandable anger and a deep sense of betrayal in these communities, since RBS owes its very existence to its bailout by the taxpayer.

Last night I set out the difficulties that residents from these towns will face as they are directed to other towns to do their banking, the cost to small businesses and the inadequacy of mobile banks which are subject to delays caused by the weather and heavy traffic, as well as not being disability compliant.

RBS must take note and once again I urged the Minister to intervene on behalf of the taxpayer as we own a 73% stake in this bank.

This fight to save our banks will continue and myself and Team SNP will be out again this weekend collecting signatures for my parliamentary petition which will be presented to Parliament in the coming weeks