Question

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what discussions ministers and officials at the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills have had with Barclays Bank about the planned closure of rural branches, in particular at St Agnes, Cornwall, which is the only bank located in that community.

Officials at the Department have discussed with Barclays Bank the rationale for the planned closure of the branch in St Agnes, Cornwall, and the steps that are being taken to ensure that local resident’s banking needs can continue to be met.

The Secretary of State for Business Innovation and Skills has also held a recent roundtable with the banks, the Post Office, regulators, consumer groups and organisations representing vulnerable groups to identify ways of maintaining access to banking services for all communities in the context of branch closures and technological change. A further roundtable has been organised to review progress.