Motion text
That this House expresses alarm on learning that Barclays bank has decided to withdraw from a key element of the banking framework agreement with Post Office Ltd, which allows personal and business customers to access their bank accounts via 11,500 post office locations across the UK; notes that the banking framework is a central component of the Government's financial inclusion policy having been developed by Liberal Democrat Ministers during the coalition and is critical to many vulnerable customers and small businesses; understands that Barclays's customers currently undertake around 1.4 million cash withdrawals in post offices every month, while Barclays has closed more than 400 bank branches in the last five years; is deeply concerned about the detrimental effect that this withdrawal will have on individuals, business and communities across the UK; recognises with concern that the withdrawal will also reduce footfall and revenue for post offices, potentially undermining the network modernisation programme; welcomes the decision by all other banks to reconfirm their commitment to their customers irrespective of their location and circumstances through this agreement with Post Office Ltd, which further brings into question Barclays's decision; calls on Barclays bank to reverse its decision immediately and on the Government to intervene if Barclays does not do so; and further calls on the Government to introduce a new regulation to require banks, as part of their retail licence, to make their core banking service accessible to their customers through the post office network and overseen by the Payment Systems Regulator.
Signatures (32)
The first 6 Members who have signed to support the motion are the sponsors. The primary sponsor is generally the person who tabled the motion and has responsibility for it. The date shown is when the Member signed the motion.
Davey, Sir Edward
Liberal Democrat
Signed on
15 October 2019
Swinson, Jo
Liberal Democrat
Signed on
15 October 2019
Dodds, Jane
Liberal Democrat
Signed on
15 October 2019
Smith, Angela
Liberal Democrat
Signed on
15 October 2019
Stone, Jamie
Liberal Democrat
Signed on
15 October 2019
Farron, Tim
Liberal Democrat
Signed on
15 October 2019
In addition to the sponsors, the following Members have signed to support the motion.
Lee, Dr Phillip
Liberal Democrat
Signed on
15 October 2019
Jardine, Christine
Liberal Democrat
Signed on
15 October 2019
Gyimah, Mr Sam
Liberal Democrat
Signed on
15 October 2019
Cable, Sir Vince
Liberal Democrat
Signed on
15 October 2019
Carmichael, Mr Alistair
Liberal Democrat
Signed on
15 October 2019
Allen, Heidi
Liberal Democrat
Signed on
15 October 2019
Berger, Luciana
Liberal Democrat
Signed on
15 October 2019
Umunna, Chuka
Liberal Democrat
Signed on
15 October 2019
Hobhouse, Wera
Liberal Democrat
Signed on
15 October 2019
Moran, Layla
Liberal Democrat
Signed on
15 October 2019
Brake, Tom
Liberal Democrat
Signed on
15 October 2019
Gaffney, Hugh
Labour
Signed on
16 October 2019
Cunningham, Mr Jim
Labour
Signed on
16 October 2019
Shannon, Jim
Democratic Unionist Party
Signed on
16 October 2019
Edwards, Jonathan
Plaid Cymru
Signed on
16 October 2019
Sobel, Alex
Labour
Signed on
16 October 2019
Bottomley, Sir Peter
Conservative
Signed on
16 October 2019
Lake, Ben
Plaid Cymru
Signed on
16 October 2019
Stephens, Chris
Scottish National Party
Signed on
16 October 2019
Godsiff, Mr Roger
Labour
Signed on
18 October 2019
Russell-Moyle, Lloyd
Labour
Signed on
21 October 2019
Hill, Mike
Independent
Signed on
22 October 2019
Girvan, Paul
Democratic Unionist Party
Signed on
22 October 2019
Saville Roberts, Liz
Plaid Cymru
Signed on
22 October 2019
George, Ruth
Labour
Signed on
24 October 2019
Crausby, Sir David
Labour
Signed on
24 October 2019
There are no withdrawn signatures for this motion.