SNP MP Calls for UK Government to Intervene on Bank Branch Closure

POLITICAL OPINION - This item has been submitted on behalf of Martyn Day MP, Scottish Nationalist Party.A petition, spearheaded by SNP MP Martyn Day, is calling for the UK government to intervene and save the Royal Bank of Scotland branch in Bathgate from closure.

Martyn Day, SNP MP for Linlithgow and East Falkirk, has initiated the petition following the RBS announcement last month that it would be closing 18 of its 86 local branches including Bathgate.

The petition highlights that the decision will mean that RBS have closed all of its branches in Mr Day’s constituency of Linlithgow and East Falkirk meaning constituents will have to travel to Livingston to visit their nearest RBS branch, which will have a detrimental impact on the local community.

The petition notes that if the closure goes ahead it will leave residents in the town with access to just one full time bank branch.

Martyn Day MP is calling for the UK government to intervene and save the RBS branch in Bathgate

The petitioners argue that the UK government should encourage the partially publicly-owned NatWest, the owners of RBS, to keep open their last remaining branch in Linlithgow and East Falkirk to ensure residents have access to in-person banking provisions.

Commenting Martyn Day said: “My constituency boasts the largest electorate in Scotland, but following the announcement that the Bathgate branch of RBS will close, we will have no remaining RBS branches in the constituency.

“Banking has changed considerably in the past 25 years, since I worked in the sector.

“The pace of change has increased since covid, with many people finding online and digital banking more convenient. However, there remains a significant proportion of our community who, for one reason or another, do not do digital banking, and they will be at a serious disadvantage as a result of the closure. They require face to face contact and good, ready access to cash.”