Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether she discussed bank branch closures with the Chief Executive Officer of Lloyds during their meeting on 28 January 2025.

Ministers and treasury officials regularly meet with the retail banks to discuss a wide variety of topics.

Banking has changed significantly in recent years with many customers benefitting from the ease and convenience of remote banking. FCA guidance expects firms to carefully consider the impact of planned branch closures on their customers’ everyday banking and cash access needs and put in place alternatives where reasonable.

The Government recognises the importance of face-to-face banking to communities and high streets, and is committed to championing sufficient access for all. This is why the Government continues to work with banks, including Lloyds Banking Group, to roll out 350 banking hubs across the UK by the end of this Parliament. Currently over 200 banking hubs have been recommended and over 100 are already open.