Banking Hubs: Rural and Post-Industrial Communities Debate

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Department: HM Treasury

Banking Hubs: Rural and Post-Industrial Communities

Desmond Swayne Excerpts
Tuesday 24th February 2026

(1 day, 8 hours ago)

Westminster Hall
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Desmond Swayne Portrait Sir Desmond Swayne (in the Chair)
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I will call Ann Davies to move the motion and I will then call the Minister to respond. I remind other Members that they may make a speech only with prior permission from the mover of the motion and the Minister. As no other Member has approached the Minister, nobody else will be speaking, unless it is through an intervention. There will not be an opportunity for the Member in charge to wind up.

Ann Davies Portrait Ann Davies (Caerfyrddin) (PC)
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I beg to move,

That this House has considered banking hubs in rural and post-industrial communities.

It is a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Sir Desmond. It is unfortunate really that this is a 30-minute debate. So many people have been in touch to make interventions or speeches, including the right hon. Member for South Holland and The Deepings (Sir John Hayes) and my right hon. Friend the Member for Dwyfor Meirionnydd (Liz Saville Roberts), but as you mentioned, Sir Desmond, it is impossible to fit everybody in.

I am pleased to lead the debate on this important topic. Access to cash and banking services is a pressing issue in rural and post-industrial communities. I hope to outline why we desperately need to increase the availability of services through banking hubs in those areas.