Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: HM Treasury
Tuesday 8th April 2025

(6 days, 15 hours ago)

Commons Chamber
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Emma Reynolds Portrait Emma Reynolds
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I am always happy to meet colleagues and will be happy to meet the hon. Gentleman.

Clive Efford Portrait Clive Efford (Eltham and Chislehurst) (Lab)
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The criteria applied by Link are too strict, and banks are being able to walk away from their customers. In Eltham, we have had a salami-slicing process of banks gradually leaving the high street, but, because we have a building society, we cannot ask for a hub. Will the Minister undertake to review Link’s approach, because it is making it difficult for customers to carry out their banking business?

Emma Reynolds Portrait Emma Reynolds
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As I said in my previous answer, we do not have any plans to change the Link criteria; those are a matter for Link. However, there are some flexibilities in the way that it applies the criteria, depending on the local population, travel times to nearby bank branches and, indeed, the number of small businesses in an area. I would be happy to meet my hon. Friend if that is of concern to him.