Lothian MSP Gordon Lindhurst has this afternoon slammed yet more bank branch closures in West Lothian announced at the beginning of December.
He spoke out during a debate in the Scottish Parliament after RBS announced it was closing 62 branches in Scotland, including in Linlithgow where Santander also announced it was removing its branch.
It means that the whole of West Lothian will have just two branches for each of the banks following the closures.
During the debate Gordon said:
“I have of course sat with bank representatives discussing spreadsheets on branch usage.
“Showing how many or how few people use or don’t use whichever particular branch set for closure at that point in time.
“But what they miss, in my view, is any attempt to provide an alternative plan for the way forward.
“They are underwritten by the taxpayers who guarantee the deposits in their accounts.
“What is their plan for future provision of services to those same taxpayers who underwrite them?”
Speaking after the debate, Gordon said:
“Bank branches are still vital for many people, such as the elderly or disabled, who find it hard to travel outside of their town to access a bank.
“I am worried about those people and I am worried about small businesses, who rely on branches to access change for till floats, for example.
The banks need to seriously consider their responsibilities, especially if they have been supported by the taxpayer in recent years. I urge a rethink on this.”