RBS AND WILLIAMS AND GLYN BANK BRANCH CLOSURES

That this House condemns the decision of the majority state-owned RBS Group to close 162 branches, covering its RBS and Williams and Glyn brands; notes that those closures bring the total number of local bank branch closures to over 1,750 since 2014; further notes that such closures are expected to result in 792 job losses; is concerned of the effect that those closures will have on the access to banking services for communities across the UK; notes that vulnerable people and rural communities rely on physical branches to access basic banking services; notes that Unite the Union has accused RBS of decimating the network and betraying communities; notes that such closures highlight the need for a publicly-supported, community-based bank network; calls on the Government to explore the possibility of a Community Reinvestment Bill which would encourage depository institutions to help meet the credit needs of the communities in which they operate; and further calls on the Government, as the majority shareholder of RBS Group, to act to reverse those closures and ensure that there is necessary access to banking services for all.