Chancellor should use new budget to guarantee access to cash

The Liberal Democrats are pressing the Government to commit to providing additional funding in their upcoming budget in order to protect access to cash and free withdrawal services in rural areas.

Jamie Stone, Liberal Democrat MP for Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, has written a letter to the Chancellor with the support of MPs from Plaid Cymru, the SNP, Labour and the Conservatives to call for this additional funding to be made available.

Research conducted by Which? has revealed that between January 2018 and December 2019, the UK has witnessed the closure of 1,203 local bank branches and around 8,700 fee-free ATMs.

Meanwhile, the number of fee-charging ATMs has increased by 37% meaning last year alone consumers paid over £29million just in transaction fees.

The Liberal Democrats have been leading the fight to protect rural banking services and led the cross-party campaign which made Barclays U-turn on their plans to stop customers withdrawing cash through Post Office branches.

Jane Dodds, Leader of the Welsh Liberal Democrats, said:

“Access to cash is something which threatens the very heart of our rural communities here in Wales. Bank closures have left our towns in a precarious situation, with many people having to travel out of town simply to access their own money.

“In Hay-on-Wye, where I live, you can only withdraw cash through the Post Office or a cash machine which charges 99p per transaction. This hurts local businesses and unfairly penalises older residents and those with mobilities issues, who cannot easily travel out of town to find a free cash machine.

“The Conservatives talk a big talk about wanting to support the rural economy here in Wales, now is their chance to show that it’s more than just empty rhetoric. If they truly care about supporting our communities then they’ll do the right thing and make this funding available. “

Ed Davey writes: I want to rebuild our party and take on the Tories

we wrap up the Liberal Democrat leadership election, I wanted to thank the thousands of people who have taken part in hustings, sent in questions to the campaigns and engaged in this contest. It’s absolutely right that there is a robust process that properly tests our next leader, and makes sure that whoever wins on Thursday has been put through their paces by the party. Whatever happens later this week, I know that Liberal Democrats will come together and turn our hand to doing what we do best, getting out campaigning and standing up for communities up and down the country. If you haven’t returned your ballot yet then there is still time to vote for me so that we can rebuild our party on solid foundations, and campaign for a fairer, greener and more caring society. That’s my vision for the future of our party, and I know I’ve got the experience we need to deliver it. With your support, I want to rebuild our party and take on the Tories, and put ...

Jane Dodds - Aberpergwm Coal Mine Expansion Must be Stopped

he Welsh Liberal Democrats have reiterated their opposition to the expansion of Aberpergwm Coal Mine in Neath Port Talbot Council. Addressing a protest in front of the Senedd Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader Jane Dodds stated that if we are to stand any hope of tackling climate change before it’s too late, the coal must be left in the ground. The protest in front of the Senedd in Cardiff saw multiple Welsh climate groups attend. The expansion of Aberpergwm Coal Mine has been at the centre of a row between the UK and Welsh Governments, with the Welsh Government claiming it does not have the legal authority to block the mine’s expansion, while the UK Coal Authority has insisted that the Welsh Government could in fact stop the development. The new license, which was approved by the Coal Authority in January will allow Aberpergwm Mine to extract another forty million tonnes of coal. The development could release up to 1.17 million tonnes of very strong g...

New Zealand Trade Deal Will Damage Rural Communities

Responding to the news that the UK Government has concluded the signing of a trade deal with New Zealand, removing trade barriers between the two countries, the Welsh Liberal Democrats have said the deal will cause damage to rural communities and the Welsh agricultural industry. Commenting Welsh Liberal Democrat Leader and Senedd Member for Mid & West Wales Jane Dodds said: "The UK Government has negotiated a trade agreement that will actively damage Welsh farming communities and will bring next to no tangible benefits to our local economies. "The Conservatives have proven that they are utterly unable to negotiate trade deals that boost the UK economy and unfortunately this agreement is no exception. The economic benefits are a drop in the ocean, and they will do nothing to mitigate the damage from the red tape and paperwork caused by Boris Johnson's shambolic EU trade deal. "Instead of delivering Global Britain, this Government is selling Welsh farmers...

Welsh Liberal blogs

Search This Blog