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Open Review access to cash in rural areas, require FCA to reform rules and criteria

Created by Maree Todd MSP
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Review access to cash in rural areas and require the FCA to reform its rules, and LINK’s criteria, so more rural communities like the Highlands can have banking hubs. It must better reflect rural issues: ageing populations; limited internet access; and geography to help stop financial exclusion.

I am concerned that across rural areas such as the Highlands, communities are losing access to essential banking services. I believe shared banking hubs have proven effective where local banks have closed, but that the current eligibility criteria is too narrow.

In my view, the current assessment process prioritises large retail centres, excluding many smaller towns and villages, despite these places acting as vital service hubs for surrounding rural communities.

To ensure fair and equitable access to banking services for all, I would like access to cash in rural areas, the criteria and FCA rules affecting it to be reviewed and reformed.

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  • Related activity

    Accessibility of banking services: debate in Parliament

    On 19 March, MPs debated the accessibility of banking services.

    This was a Backbench Business debate led by Andrew George MP. Treasury Minister Lucy Rigby MP responded on behalf of the Government.

    For further information on this topic, see the research briefing from the House of Commons Library:

    Access to cash and banking services (March 2026)

    Explainer

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    • seek to influence government policy
    • put the views of backbench MPs, political parties, and the Government on record.

    They do not generally involve a vote on a particular action or decision.

    See our visual explainer on how debates in Westminster Hall work.

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    This petition will stay open until 12 July 2026.