Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she is taking to ensure that people are able to access cashpoints in rural areas.

The Government is committed to protecting access to cash for individuals and businesses across the UK, including in rural areas. The Financial Conduct Authority is the regulator responsible for access to cash further to the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023, with powers to seek to ensure the reasonable provision of cash withdrawal and deposit facilities for individuals and businesses, including free withdrawal services for individuals.

The FCA published its final rules on access to cash on 24 July. Under its rules, designated firms will be required to undertake assessments of a community’s cash access needs following the closure of a service or a community request, and to put in a new service if necessary. These rules come into force on 18 September.