Far North MP Jamie Stone calls on Chancellor to intervene in Bank of Scotland closures
Far North MP Jamie Stone has written to the Chancellor of the Exchequer following an “inadequate” response from Lloyds Banking Group regarding the planned closure of the last Bank of Scotland branch in Golspie.
The branch will close permanently on February 4, and will be replaced by a ‘community banker’ - a bank officer who will have set hours in a space in a local building, such as a library.
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In a previous letter to their public affairs manager, Mr Stone underlined the importance of face-to-face customer service for preventing potential scams, and cited poor broadband service in remote towns as a reason for online banking being an impracticable alternative for many of his constituents.
In response, Lloyds Banking Group justified their closures by confirming that their customers could still access cash through a remaining Post Office Network.
Consequently, the MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross has called on the Government to intervene in the hope of halting the bank closures, pending a longer-term solution that adequately addresses the real concerns of the Bank’s customers in the Far North.
Additionally, Mr Stone has tabled a Parliamentary Early Day Motion, underlining the seriousness of the issue.
Mr Stone said: “I am extremely disappointed that Lloyds Banking Group have refused to reconsider their decision, and have inadequately addressed the seriousness of leaving Sutherland with no bank.
“Their neglect treats my constituents with contempt and indicates that they have no interest in properly serving their customers in the Far North.
“It is utterly wrong that people living in Golspie or Wick, should not receive the same assistance as people in Glasgow or Edinburgh. I am sick and tired of people in the Highlands being overlooked and treated as second-rate customers who bear the consequences of businesses' self-serving solutions.
“I feel the time has come for the Government to intervene in this matter - so that banks across the country can be held accountable for the series of closures we have seen in recent years.
