Conservative MSP to speak out on Moray bank closures
Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston will speak out against bank closures in Moray tomorrow (28 November) in a Scottish Parliament debate on the latest round of proposals from the Bank of Scotland.
Two branches in Moray, Lossiemouth and Keith, are affected and there has been a range of opposition to closures voiced locally. Earlier this year, Highlands and Islands Enterprise found there was a greater reliance on face-to-face banking services in the region, which has a greater proportion of small businesses and is more reliant on cash transactions.
The Conservative MSP sits on Holyrood’s Economy Committee, which concluded an inquiry on bank closures earlier this year.
Speaking ahead of the debate, Jamie Halcro Johnston said:
“There is a range of evidence that shows the far greater impact of bank closures on people in the Highlands and Islands. We already have further to travel to access services, and the availability of reliable connectivity in the region makes digital banking alternatives less viable.
“Branches are important features of our town centres and support the work of our local businesses.
“My colleague, Moray MP Douglas Ross, has arranged public meetings in the affected communities –it is important that dialogue is kept open with the banks during these times. Representatives of the area should be speaking with one voice about the vital role local branches play in our towns and villages.
“The banks should listen to their customers here in Moray and recognise the distinct needs of communities in the Highlands and Islands before making final decisions on the future of branches here.”