Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what information her Department holds on how many high-street branches of (a) banks and (b) building societies have closed in (i) South Holland and the Deepings constituency and (ii) Lincolnshire in the last 10 years.

The Government does not hold bank branch closure data. However, according to consumer website Which?, South Holland and The Deepings constituency lost just over 60% of its branch network between January 2015 and November 2024, and has six branches remaining.

Guidance from the FCA sets out its expectation of firms when they are deciding to reduce their physical branches or the number of free-to-use ATMs. Firms are expected to carefully consider the impact of planned branch closures on their customers’ everyday banking and cash access needs, and put in place alternatives, where this is reasonable.

The Government is working closely with banks to roll out 350 banking hubs, which will provide individuals and businesses up and down the country with critical cash and banking services. The Government also recognises the value that building societies bring to local communities, including through their 28% share of the UK’s branch network.