Asked by: Danielle Rowley (Labour - Midlothian)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans he has to meet Ross McEwan and Les Matheson to discuss the closure of RBS branches in Scotland.
Answered by John Glen
I refer the honourable member to the answer that I gave on 12 January to PQ UIN 121049.
Asked by: Danielle Rowley (Labour - Midlothian)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans (a) Ministers and (b) officials of his Department have to meet with representatives of UK Financial Investments to discuss the closures of Royal Bank of Scotland branches in (i) Scotland and (ii) Midlothian constituency.
Answered by John Glen
I refer the honourable member to the answer that I gave on 12 January to PQ UIN 121049.
Asked by: Danielle Rowley (Labour - Midlothian)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, if his Department will make an assessment of the implications for local communities of the closure of RBS branches in (a) Penicuik and (b) Bonnyrigg later this year; and if he will make a statement.
Answered by John Glen
The Treasury does not make assessments of bank branch closures. The decision to close a branch remains a commercial judgement for banks. However, the impact on communities must be understood, considered and mitigated where possible.
The industry’s Access to Banking Standard, launched in May 2017, commits banks to ensure personal and business customers are better informed about branch closures and the reasons for them closing, along with the options they have locally to continue to access banking services, including specialist assistance for customers who need more help. The Access to Banking Standard is monitored and enforced by the independent Lending Standards Board.
99% of banks’ personal and 95% of banks’ business customers are now able to withdraw cash, deposit cash and cheques, and make balance enquiries at a Post Office counter via its network of 11,600 branches. At Autumn Budget 2017, my predecessor wrote to the Post Office and UK Finance to ask them to raise public awareness of the banking services available at the Post Office for individuals and SMEs. I look forward to receiving their proposals later this month.
Asked by: Danielle Rowley (Labour - Midlothian)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made about the financial effect of Autumn Budget 2017 on (a) women and (b) people with protected characteristics.
Answered by Elizabeth Truss
The government is committed to building an economy that works for everyone and supporting people with protected characteristics. For example, we have increased the personal allowance and the National Living Wage; by 2018-19, over 700,000 women will be taken out of income tax altogether, and over 60% of those currently benefitting from the National Living Wage are women. The proportion of women in work is at a joint record high, and the gender pay gap for full-time employees is at a record low. The government is also spending over £50bn per year on benefits to support disabled people and people with health conditions.
In line with the Government’s legal responsibilities and policy commitment to promote fairness, the Treasury and other Government departments fully comply with the Public Sector Equality Duty, including with respect to all publication requirements.
Asked by: Danielle Rowley (Labour - Midlothian)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions his Department has had with Royal Bank of Scotland about branch closures in (a) Bonnyrigg and (b) Penicuik.
Answered by Steve Barclay
Government ministers and officials regularly meet with a wide range of organisations from the public and private sectors to discuss policy issues.
The Government’s shareholding in RBS is managed commercially and at arm’s length by UK Financial Investments (UKFI), with the objective of creating and protecting value for the taxpayer.
RBS retains its own board which is responsible for commercial and operational decisions, including in relation to its branch network.
Asked by: Danielle Rowley (Labour - Midlothian)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions his Department has had with Royal Bank of Scotland about branch closures in Scotland.
Answered by Steve Barclay
Government ministers and officials regularly meet with a wide range of organisations from the public and private sectors to discuss policy issues.
The Government’s shareholding in RBS is managed commercially and at arm’s length by UK Financial Investments (UKFI), with the objective of creating and protecting value for the taxpayer.
RBS retains its own board which is responsible for commercial and operational decisions, including in relation to its branch network.