The Week Ahead

House of Commons

Wednesday 1 May, Westminster Hall Debate, Paula Barker, MP, Youth Homelessness.

Wednesday 1 May, Westminster Hall Debate, Peter Aldous, MP, Taxation of Furnished Holiday Lettings.

Thursday 2 May, Westminster Hall Debate, Matt Warman, MP, Pylons and Upgrades to the National Grid.

House of Lords

Tuesday 30 April, Baroness Quin, Oral Questions, Discussion on the measures to reduce sewage pollution in British lakes and rivers.

Select and Joint Committees

Tuesday 30 April, Environment, food and Rural affairs Committee, Fairness in the Food Supply Chain, Oral evidence.

Supermarkets’ senior executives to face questions from MPs over food price inflation, profits and relationships with producers. Senior executives from five of the biggest supermarket chains questioned about retailers’ role in the food supply chain, by MPs on the cross-party Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Committee Committee. The session will be an opportunity for MPs to examine the impact of food price inflation on supermarkets, manufacturers, suppliers, and consumers. 

The Rural Services Network team will be reviewing transcripts of each of the above and sharing with readers relevant comments.

Insights from Last Week

22 April, Westminster Hall Debate, Government Funding: Local Authorities

We have written about this debate here.  The full debate transcript can be read HERE.

24 April, Westminster Hall Debate, Access to Banking in Devon

Last week a debate on access to banking services in Devon highlighted critical issues faced by rural communities. Simon Jupp, MP for East Devon, emphasised the significant decline in bank branches across the UK, particularly impacting rural areas where transport and broadband connections are often limited. Jupp stressed that while bank closures may be seen as commercial decisions, they pose severe challenges for older individuals, small businesses, and those who rely on in-person banking services.

Simon Jupp, MP for East Devon: 

‘We have reached a tipping point where enough is enough. Banks must provide core services to loyal customers on our high streets and stop washing their hands of their customers’ needs.

The banks claim that their branches on our high streets are increasingly outdated: they say that more customers are moving online and going cashless. That is broadly true, but it is not an excuse simply to pull up sticks and disappear. In fact, I believe that bank branch closures across the UK are forcing people to change their habits, but people still need access to cash and 

face-to-face banking services—the demand is definitely still there. To give a couple of statistics, 27% of over-65s and 58% of over-85s rely on face-to-face banking. Some among the older generation are not technophobes. In fact, they may have valid reasons for not wanting to do online banking. According to research by Age UK, fear of being defrauded and a lack of IT skills are common reasons why many people prefer face-to-face banking.

If the need for face-to-face banking is still there, what is the solution?’

During the debate, Jupp and other MPs called for banking hubs as a solution to provide essential services to communities.

Pauline Latham, MP for Mid Derbyshire, noted how a hub had revitalised the high street in her constituency, highlighting their role in supporting businesses, older citizens, and fostering economic vitality.

Pauline Latham, MP for Mid Debryshire:

‘My constituency has a banking hub in Belper, which has become a lifeline for businesses on the high street, particularly small businesses, because they can access cash and pay cash in. I encourage my hon. Friend to keep campaigning for a banking hub, because they help every section of society: older people, younger people and businesses. That banking hub has rejuvenated the high street in Belper.’

The Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 was also discussed, with its provisions to protect access to cash and ensure communities have reasonable access to banking services.

Economic Secretary to the Treasury Bim Afolami reiterated the government's commitment to expanding access to banking hubs, acknowledging their importance in meeting diverse needs, including face-to-face services and cash access. MPs and the FCA will closely monitor the roll-out of these hubs, recognising their potential to bridge the banking gap in rural and underserved communities. The debate concluded with a consensus on the need for innovative solutions to ensure equitable access to banking services across the UK.

Read the full debate transcript HERE.