Business of the House

Siobhain McDonagh Excerpts

Thursday 30th October 2025 Commons Chamber

[Sir Alan Campbell]

The hon. Gentleman may wish to seek either an Adjournment debate or a Backbench Business debate to raise those matters, so that colleagues across the House may have their say, including those who are able to point out the number of police officers to which we have committed in order to bear down on crime.

[Dame Siobhain McDonagh (Mitcham and Morden) (Lab)]

When Lloyds closes in January, Mitcham will lose its last remaining bank, yet Link has refused a banking hub, claiming that the nearest branch in Tooting is just 14 minutes away. That figure comes from bus timetables, not real journeys by residents, many of whom have recorded it taking 20 minutes or longer. The whole dialogue risks becoming a dialogue of the death—a veil of respectability for decisions made in the interests of big banks, not the public. Will the Leader of the House find time for a debate on access to banking, so that common sense—not bus timetables—decides who gets a banking hub?

[Sir Alan Campbell]

My hon. Friend is, as ever, a strong advocate for her constituency. I agree with her absolutely that banks have a responsibility in these matters, but there have been closures in many constituencies. I have to say, having been present at the opening of the banking hub in Whitley Bay in my constituency last Friday, that it is a great relief when banking hubs are brought forward—including with the co-operation of banks, by the way—to ensure that people have that face-to-face contact. The Government are committed to 350 banking hubs, and that is not an upper limit but the current target. As well as ensuring that Lloyds comes to its senses, perhaps my hon. Friend will push for a banking hub.