SNP Politicians Demand Urgent ‘Re-think’ of Santander Branch Closures
The SNP have called on Santander to undertake an urgent “re-think” of the 15 branches in Scotland which face closure this year.
It was announced today that Santander plan to close local branches in Aberdeen, Alloa, Bathgate, Brechin, Edinburgh, Forfar, Glasgow, Helensburgh, Kirkcaldy, Lanark, Renfrew, St Andrews, and Troon.
This is just the latest round of bank closures to hit communities across Scotland. Since 2015 more than 230 bank branches in Scotland have been shut or marked for closure and research suggests that local branches are closing faster in Scotland than any other part of the UK.
Santander intend to close 140 branches, putting almost 1,300 jobs at risk. The branches are due to close throughout the year, with the first Scottish closure scheduled for April.
A group of SNP MSPs and MPs have now written to Santander’s Head of Retail and Business Banking, to ask for an urgent review of the planned closures.
In a joint statement, the SNP group commented:
“This is deeply concerning news which will come as a shock to many who rely on their local branch.
“Bank closures are not just an inconvenience – every one of these branches is hugely important to the community it serves.
“People and businesses depend on the face-to-face service they get in these branches, especially those who are elderly, vulnerable, or live in rural areas.
“The SNP will pursue every avenue available to save these banks. Santander must urgently re-think their plans to close these branches in Scotland.”
ENDS
Notes:
Kevin Stewart MSP for Aberdeen Central, Keith Brown MSP (Alloa), Fiona Hyslop MSP (Linlithgow), Mairi Gougeon MSP (Angus North and Mearns), Ben MacPherson MSP (Edinburgh North and Leith), John Mason MSP (Glasgow Shettleston), Bob Doris MSP (Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn) David Torrance MSP (Kirkcaldy), Derek Mackay MSP (Renfrewshire North and West), Stephen Gethins MP (North East Fife), Philippa Whitford MP (Central Ayshire), Angela Crawley MP (Lanark and Hamilton East), Brendan O’Hara MP (Argyll and Bute), Kirsty Blackman MP (Aberdeen North) Martyn Day MP (Linlithgow and East Falkirk), Deidre Brock MP (Edinburgh North and Leith), David Linden MP (Glasgow East), Gavin Newlands MP (Paisley and North Renfrewshire) have signed the letter.