Oldham MP slams Barclays over ‘unfair’ bank closure

Oldham East and Saddleworth MP Debbie Abrahams

Oldham East and Saddleworth MP Debbie Abrahams has criticised Barclays Bank over its decision to close its branch on High Street in Oldham town centre.

Ms Abrahams has said this is part of a broader crisis in our high streets and of local banking.

She added that since the Conservatives won a majority in 2015,  almost half of all bank branches in the country have closed. 

Another 189 branches from Barclays and other high street banks are set to close this year across the country. 

Ms Abrahams said: “While I recognise the argument that only 14% of transactions involve cash, many older, sick and disabled people rely on cash.

"They are also more likely to need face to face support, a point I made in my ‘Save Greenfield’s ticket office’ campaign last year.

"This is yet another example of the rights of older and disabled people being ignored. 

"At the same time that these bank branches are closing, ATMs are also being withdrawn, penalising people on low incomes. 

"I have written to the Government minister responsible for protecting cash access as well as the Bank of England and Financial Conduct Authority raising the concerns of my constituents and the failure of banks to meet the ‘Access to Banking’ code that they agreed to.

"I will continue my work on this in Oldham and in Parliament to stand up for the rights of local people to have face-to-face local services, including banking.”

If elected to Government, Labour insist they will commit to introducing 350 new banking hubs, prioritising high streets without banks.

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