Unite the Union has called upon the Scottish Government to intervene over the announced closures of up to 1 in 3 branches of the Royal Bank of Scotland and have asked for a meeting with Paul Wheelhouse, Minister for Business, Innovation and Energy in the Scottish Government.
Mary Alexander, Unite’s deputy Scottish Secretary, has sent a letter to Paul Wheelhouse. The letter states:
“RBS have suggested that digital banking is the answer to most people’s banking needs. What happens in places like Biggar, the Borders or indeed the Highlands which are all notorious for poor wi-fi reception?
“What happens if you are elderly or infirm and cannot make the journey or indeed if you are poor don’t own a car and are dependent on a bank visit to cash welfare benefits?
“Those issues concerning access to cash withdrawal are matched by small business problems with deposits. What do the butcher, the baker and the candlestick maker do with their takings at the end of the business week – put them under the bed until the RBS mobile van arrives whenever that is? ATMs iPads and smart phones do not take cash deposits.”
It goes on to say that Unite do accept the figures issued by RBS that only 1% of customers use branch visits to make money transfers. And it finds that ” the 500 branch closure programme already completed in Scotland by RBS guarantees that most standing branches are extremely busy”.
“The directors and executives of RBS are obligated to consult with local communities about local branch closures. Whether this has actually been done across Scotland, seems at this stage to be at least open to serious question. The public outrage which is developing in local communities as the closure programme comes to light seems to attest to that. “
Paul Wheelhouse, has urged the UK Government to defend customers and take steps to ensure communities, particularly vulnerable customers and small businesses, have access to day to day banking services.
In his letter to the Economic Secretary to the Treasury in the UK Government, Stephen Barclay, Paul Wheelhouse said:
“What will the UK Government do to halt or reverse the continuing trend of branch closures; to preserve access to essential banking services; and to mitigate the impact of this announcement on the individual customers, communities and businesses affected?”
He reminded Stephen Barclay that “the UK Government maintains a majority shareholding in Royal Bank of Scotland, and also retain all legislative and regulatory powers in respect of financial services”.
And requested a meeting ” to discuss in detail what can be done to support the staff and customers affected by this, and other recent announcements, and to ensure that essential banking services continue to be available to those who need them.”
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