That the Parliament notes with concern the reported impact of the decision taken by Lloyds Banking Group in 2025 to withdraw cheque deposit services through Post Office branches and Banking Hubs; understands that Lloyds, operator of the Bank of Scotland, is the only major bank that does not allow customers to deposit cheques at Post Office branches and Banking Hubs, a decision that it believes is having an adverse effect on the most vulnerable customers in areas such as Sanquhar in Dumfriesshire; considers that banking hubs have made a positive difference to communities across Dumfriesshire and the rest of Scotland, which have lost access to face-to-face banking following branch closures; notes the calls for Lloyds Banking Group to support the 44% of account users who still use cheques, particularly within the 65 and over age group, by reversing this decision so that the most vulnerable customers are not negatively impacted, and further notes the calls on the Financial Conduct Authority, LINK, Cash Access UK and the Post Office to review the criteria for Banking Hubs and access to cash in rural areas and those with older or disadvantaged customer groups.
Supported by: Andrew Baxter, Dawn Black, Miles Briggs, Alexander Burnett, Duncan Dunlop, Tim Eagle, Russell Findlay, Murdo Fraser, Meghan Gallacher, Jamie Langan, David Linden, Amanda Lindsay, Douglas Lumsden, Helen McDade, Stuart McMillan, Lloyd Melville, Laura Moodie, Alyn Smith, David Torrance