LOSS OF BANKS AND POST OFFICES ACROSS NORTH AYRSHIRE & ARRAN HIGHLIGHTS IMPORTANCE OF MINIMUM SERVICE STANDARDS

With the closure of the Bank of Scotland branch in Brodick in January, and the plans to close The Royal Bank of Scotland in Largs in October, banks are retreating from our towns at an alarming rate, a concern I have repeatedly raised in the House of Commons and did so again yesterday.

In addition, we have suffered more post office closures, with the post office in Brodick closing in March and the post office in West Kilbride, North Ayrshire set to close in May.

I have also repeatedly raised the need for additional support for our beleaguered post masters which the UK Government has rejected. However, I continue to work with Post Office Ltd to work to secure a new franchisee to take over the delivery of post office services in these towns.

However, what is needed, and for which I have long called, is minimum service standards for banking and post office services, including physical outlets, in our towns.

Financial Inclusion matters and warm words are not enough. We need a commitment, enshrined in law, that our communities must not be financially excluded.