Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what information her Department holds on the number of banks that have removed access to ATM’s from rural communities in each of the last five years.

The Government recognises that cash continues to be used by millions of people across the UK, including those in vulnerable groups, and is committed to protecting access to cash for individuals and businesses.

The Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 granted the FCA the responsibility and powers to seek to ensure the reasonable provision of cash withdrawal and deposit facilities. In September 2024, the FCA introduced regulatory rules for access to cash. Its rules require the reasonable provision of cash withdrawal and deposit facilities, including free services for personal current accounts.

In the UK, LINK, the operator of the UK’s largest ATM network, has committed to protect the broad geographic spread of ATMs. Data on UK ATM coverage can be found on its website.

Where a resident, community organisation or other interested party feels access to cash in their community is insufficient, they can submit a request for a cash access assessment to LINK. In circumstances where LINK considers that a community requires additional cash services, the financial services sector will provide a suitable shared solution, such as an ATM, cash deposit service, or shared Banking Hub, for cash users in that community. Further information about submitting a cash access request can be found on LINK’s website.