Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions she has had with LINK on its criteria for assessing applications for (a) access to cash services and (b) banking hubs in rural areas.

Answered by Emma Reynolds - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government recognises that cash continues to be used by millions of people across the UK, including those who may be in vulnerable groups or face challenges using alternative payment methods. The Government is committed to maintaining the viability of cash as a payment method for those who choose to use it. The Government also understands the importance of face-to-face banking to communities and high streets across the UK, including those in rural communities, and is committed to championing sufficient access for all as a priority.

In September 2024, The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) introduced regulatory rules for access to cash. Its rules require the reasonable provision of free cash withdrawal and deposit facilities for personal current accounts.

Where a branch closure is announced or a community has submitted a cash access assessment request, LINK, the independent industry coordinating body responsible for making access to cash assessments, assesses a community’s access to cash needs, and will recommend appropriate solutions where it considers that a community requires additional cash services. Any decisions on changes to LINK’s independent assessment criteria are a matter for LINK, the financial services sector, and for the FCA, which oversees the access to cash regime.

Under the framework provided by this regime, the Government is working closely with industry to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK which will provide individuals up and down the country with critical cash and banking services. The UK banking sector has committed to deliver these hubs by the end of this Parliament. Over 220 hubs have been announced so far, and over 135 are already open.

Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she will make an assessment of the potential merits of reviewing the criteria used by LINK to asses applications for banking hubs to help meet the needs of rural communities.

Answered by Emma Reynolds - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)

The Government recognises that cash continues to be used by millions of people across the UK, including those who may be in vulnerable groups or face challenges using alternative payment methods. The Government is committed to maintaining the viability of cash as a payment method for those who choose to use it. The Government also understands the importance of face-to-face banking to communities and high streets across the UK, including those in rural communities, and is committed to championing sufficient access for all as a priority.

In September 2024, The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) introduced regulatory rules for access to cash. Its rules require the reasonable provision of free cash withdrawal and deposit facilities for personal current accounts.

Where a branch closure is announced or a community has submitted a cash access assessment request, LINK, the independent industry coordinating body responsible for making access to cash assessments, assesses a community’s access to cash needs, and will recommend appropriate solutions where it considers that a community requires additional cash services. Any decisions on changes to LINK’s independent assessment criteria are a matter for LINK, the financial services sector, and for the FCA, which oversees the access to cash regime.

Under the framework provided by this regime, the Government is working closely with industry to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK which will provide individuals up and down the country with critical cash and banking services. The UK banking sector has committed to deliver these hubs by the end of this Parliament. Over 220 hubs have been announced so far, and over 135 are already open.

Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to provide sustainable funding for rural pharmacies.

Answered by Stephen Kinnock - Minister of State (Department of Health and Social Care)

Found: Desmond Swayne John Glen Dame Harriett Baldwin Gill Furniss Neil Coyle Rosie Duffield Sir Julian Smith

Found: Desmond Swayne John Glen Dame Harriett Baldwin Gill Furniss Neil Coyle Rosie Duffield Sir Julian Smith

Found: Desmond Swayne John Glen Dame Harriett Baldwin Gill Furniss Neil Coyle Rosie Duffield Sir Julian Smith

Found: Desmond Swayne John Glen Dame Harriett Baldwin Gill Furniss Neil Coyle Rosie Duffield Sir Julian Smith

Found: Desmond Swayne John Glen Dame Harriett Baldwin Gill Furniss Neil Coyle Rosie Duffield Sir Julian Smith

Found: Desmond Swayne John Glen Dame Harriett Baldwin Gill Furniss Neil Coyle Rosie Duffield Sir Julian Smith

Found: Desmond Swayne John Glen Dame Harriett Baldwin Gill Furniss Neil Coyle Rosie Duffield Sir Julian Smith

Found: Desmond Swayne John Glen Dame Harriett Baldwin Gill Furniss Neil Coyle Rosie Duffield Sir Julian Smith

Found: Desmond Swayne John Glen Dame Harriett Baldwin Gill Furniss Neil Coyle Rosie Duffield Sir Julian Smith

Found: Desmond Swayne John Glen Dame Harriett Baldwin Gill Furniss Neil Coyle Rosie Duffield Sir Julian Smith

Found: Desmond Swayne John Glen Dame Harriett Baldwin Gill Furniss Neil Coyle Rosie Duffield Sir Julian Smith

Found: Desmond Swayne John Glen Dame Harriett Baldwin Gill Furniss Neil Coyle Rosie Duffield Sir Julian Smith

Found: Desmond Swayne John Glen Dame Harriett Baldwin Gill Furniss Neil Coyle Rosie Duffield Sir Julian Smith