In recent weeks, bank closures all over the country have been in the news.
Locally, I have been campaigning to save Barclays' Kidsgrove branch and have been pleased to receive a large amount of support from residents.
Having launched a petition to show the strength of feeling about Barclays, I recently held a Westminster Hall Debate about bank closures in Stoke-on-Trent North, Kidsgrove and Talke.
In this, I highlighted that 86% of banks have closed in the constituency since 2015 - and across the UK, shockingly, between June 2015 and January 2023, an average of 54 closed per month.
If the Barclays closure goes ahead, Stoke-on-Trent North, Kidsgrove and Talke will be left with just one high street bank, which is simply not good enough.
Banks are at the very heart of local communities, and they provide the most vulnerable people in society with vital services and support with their money. Banks have been at the centre of high streets up and down this great country for generations, drawing people to the local area, which has the added benefit of increasing footfall for local businesses.
To continue to make the case why in-person banks are still vital to our communities, I want to hear from you.
So please complete the below survey on access to banking to share your views.
