Oral Answers to Questions Debate

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Department: HM Treasury

Oral Answers to Questions

Tulip Siddiq Excerpts
Tuesday 7th May 2024

(1 week, 5 days ago)

Commons Chamber
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Lindsay Hoyle Portrait Mr Speaker
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I call the shadow Minister.

Tulip Siddiq Portrait Tulip Siddiq (Hampstead and Kilburn) (Lab)
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Since 2022, almost 400 communities have lost their local bank branch, which has had a devastating impact on local and small businesses. Despite witnessing the decline of the British high street, the Government have been dragging their feet on rolling out banking hubs, which would help local and small businesses. Will the Minister finally back the Labour party’s plans to provide a banking hub in every community that needs one?

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Bim Afolami Portrait Bim Afolami
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I am happy to meet my right hon. Friend to discuss the lifetime ISA, which is a fantastic product brought in by this Government to help young people to get on the housing ladder. I am happy to meet him to discuss ways in which we can make it more accessible for more people in more circumstances.

Tulip Siddiq Portrait Tulip Siddiq (Hampstead and Kilburn) (Lab)
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On a point of order, Mr Speaker.

Lindsay Hoyle Portrait Mr Speaker
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Is it related to Treasury questions?

Tulip Siddiq Portrait Tulip Siddiq
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Yes. In his response to me, the Exchequer Secretary said, “Any area that loses bank branches is entitled to get a banking hub”, but I have numerous examples of towns that lost bank branches, applied for a banking hub and then had their application rejected. Please could you advise me, Mr Speaker, on how I can get some clarity on this matter and what the Minister said about “any area that loses bank branches”?

Lindsay Hoyle Portrait Mr Speaker
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Obviously, we cannot continue the debate. The hon. Lady has certainly put her point on the record. I do not think this will be the end of it; she knows how to carry it on through the usual channels, which I expect she will use, no doubt starting with the Table Office.