Question reference: S1W-00880
- Asked by: Alex Neil, MSP for Central Scotland, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 10 August 1999
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Current status: Answered by Wendy Alexander on 23 August 1999
Question
To ask the Scottish Executive what steps it is or intends taking to insure that people living in deprived communities have access to financial services.
Answer
The recent results from the first round of the Scottish Household Survey suggest that across Scotland, 12% of householders (or their partners) do not have a bank account. This conceals a wide variation: for example only 61% of single parents have some form of account. This is a matter of concern and Scottish Ministers are commited to improving access to financial services. We are actively engaged in discussions with a range of bodies, including financial institutions, to promote wider access to a broad range of financial services.