Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will have discussions with major banking institutions on progress in establishing banking hubs (a) in rural areas, (b) in small towns and (c) nationally.

The Government understands the importance of face-to-face banking to communities and high streets, and is committed to championing sufficient access for all as a priority. This is why the Government is working closely with industry to ensure that at least 350 banking hubs are delivered across the UK.

Over 60 banking hubs are already open and Cash Access UK, who oversee banking hub rollout, expect 100 hubs to be open by the end of the year.

The specific location of these hubs is determined independently by LINK, the operator of the UK’s largest ATM network. Criteria that LINK considers includes whether another bank branch remains nearby, population, number of cash-accepting businesses and the financial vulnerability of the community.