Leech Calls For End To Cash Machine Charges

10.17.55pm UTC (GMT +0000) Wed 9th Aug 2006

John Leech, Liberal Democrat MP for Manchester Withington, has highlighted the fact that in many areas the only cash machines available are those which charge fees.

The Citizens Advice Bureaux has published a report which shows that since 1999 the proportion of cash machines which charge a fee for cash withdrawals has risen from virtually zero to 40%. These fees hit the poorest in society hardest. In some areas people have no choice but to use a fee paying cash machine to access benefits and pensions which are often now paid into bank accounts.

John Leech MP has backed a parliamentary motion calling on the firms operating these machines to remove the charges for using them.

Now John Leech MP is welcoming a new initiative from the Royal Bank of Scotland to identify 300 sites that have no existing free provision available and install free cash machines.

Suitable locations might include Credit Unions, Community Sports / Leisure facilities, Libraries, Doctors Surgeries, Post Offices (who have been issued a waiver by Post Office Ltd), Community regeneration organisations, Council buildings open to the public.

John Leech is inviting residents to get in touch with suggestions for possible sites in Manchester Withington which he could pass on to the Royal Bank of Scotland for consideration. Ring John on 0161 434 3334 if you can suggest a location.

Ends

Notes to Editors:

The criteria which the RBS are looking to be met (apart from that already mentioned above), would be a site that has adequate access facilities (both from a disability point of view and an opening hours availability), an appetite to operate the ATM on a daily basis and an appropriateness to the local user groups (no venues where age restrictions apply e.g. pubs / betting shops, or where certain user groups may feel vulnerable).