← Back to Westminster Hall Debates
Access to Banking Hubs: Hertfordshire
25 June 2025
Lead MP
Gagan Mohindra
South West Hertfordshire
Con
Responding Minister
Emma Reynolds
Tags
EconomyTaxation
Word Count: 9619
Other Contributors: 13
At a Glance
Gagan Mohindra raised concerns about access to banking hubs: hertfordshire in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
He calls on the Minister for more funding to establish additional banking hubs, particularly in rural and semi-rural areas where face-to-face services are crucial.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
Mr Gagan Mohindra points out that access to banking services is critical, especially for those unable or less comfortable with online banking. He notes the significant reduction in bank branches since 2015 and highlights the lack of banking hubs in his constituency compared to other areas. Post offices are essential but do not provide the same level of service as a dedicated banking hub.
Daisy Cooper
Lab
St Albans
The hon. Member highlighted the importance of access to cash services, especially for older people, small businesses, and those with disabilities. She also called on the government to ensure that a national financial inclusion strategy includes measures to ensure the Financial Conduct Authority and Prudential Regulation Authority have regard to financial inclusion. Acknowledged Derek French's campaign for access to cash and banking, corrected the Minister about her constituency.
Discussed digital inclusion and exclusion, thanked other MPs for their contributions, addressed concerns about banking hubs in different constituencies.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
I commend the hon. Member for South West Hertfordshire for securing this debate on access to banking hubs, which is a critical issue in many rural constituencies across the UK. Asked questions on digital inclusion and exclusion.
Joe Morris
Lab
Hexham
The impact of bank closures falls not just on those within the tightly drawn parameters but also on more rural towns and villages, meaning businesses have to travel far for banking services. Adding flexibility would be incredibly valuable.
John Lamont
Con
Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk
Mr John Lamont shares similar challenges in his constituency and supports the campaign for more banking hubs. He also presents concerns about Link's criteria for determining community suitability for new banking hubs. The criteria for allowing banking hubs need to change as they are no longer fit for purpose, making it difficult for communities desperately needing these hubs to have them. Some communities lack broadband capability which makes using banking apps impossible. Even in my constituency of Mid Dunbartonshire, there are dark spots where people cannot access wi-fi.
Lewis Cocking
Con
Broxbourne
Cheshunt in my constituency does not have a single bank branch, affecting individuals and businesses. Many older and visually impaired residents rely on in-person banking services due to the lack of digital access.
Mark Garnier
Con
Wyre Forest
Supports the introduction of banking hubs as a solution to meet wider banking needs, especially where high street banks have closed. Highlights the importance of involving MPs in decisions regarding hub locations.
Matt Rodda
Lab
Reading Central
Mr Matt Rodda mentions the difficulties faced by vulnerable individuals and small businesses dealing with cash, reinforcing Mr Mohindra's argument for in-person banking services. The hon. Gentleman noted that the criteria for determining an area's eligibility for a banking hub appear too tightly drawn and there is perhaps a lack of appreciation of the scale of need in some areas.
Mohindra
Con
South West Hertfordshire
Asked the Minister to give a letter of support for establishing a banking hub in Abbots Langley and clarified that there is an enhanced banking hub in Rickmansworth. Thanked the Economic Secretary for the response and expressed hope for more banking hubs, noting that a target of 350 was once ambitious but should be reconsidered.
Robbie Moore
Con
Keighley and Ilkley
We have been successful in securing a banking hub in Ilkley after a long campaign, but there is still a need for an ATM when the hub is closed. Cash Access UK and Link have determined that we should not need an out-of-hours facility.
John Hayes
Con
South Holland and The Deepings
Sir John Hayes supports Mr Mohindra's initiative, highlighting the issue of bank closures in his constituency. He calls for more banking hubs to address the needs of those least able to use online banking. The hon. Lady is correct about the number of bank closures and the impact on communities. The Payment Choice Alliance estimates that if every community with a population of 5,000 or more were provided with a banking hub, there would be about 1,200 of them.
Stuart Anderson
Con
South Shropshire
My constituency is 700 square miles with a lack of connectivity for many residents. We recently lost Lloyds banks in Bridgnorth and Ludlow, causing major upset among local communities who require face-to-face services and access to cash.
Susan Murray
SNP
Mid Dunbartonshire
Secured the debate to discuss access to cash services and highlighted the importance of ensuring adequate banking facilities across the UK. The closure of branches and their replacement with only 350 hubs represents nothing more than big banks trying to increase profits at the expense of customers. This is a serious accessibility issue for disabled, elderly, and those without technical know-how.
Government Response
Emma Reynolds
The Economic Secretary to the Treasury
Government Response
Acknowledges the concerns raised and the importance of community engagement in deciding the location of banking hubs. Emphasises support for rural areas and private sector innovation, such as multi-bank kiosks. Discussed the significant changes in retail banking due to technological advancements, acknowledged the importance of branches for vulnerable groups and small businesses. Emphasized the Government's commitment to rolling out 350 banking hubs, with more than half already agreed and over 170 open since the general election. Stated that Parliament legislated to protect reasonable access to cash through the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 but did not include in-person banking access.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.