Adrian Ramsay MP speaks in Parliament on loss of Halesworth Post Office and need for banking hubs in rural areas

Waveney Valley MP Adrian Ramsay has in Parliament today (22nd October) intervened in a Westminster Hall debate to highlight the very urgent need for the government to accelerate its programme of banking hubs, particularly in rural communities, which increasingly face financial isolation.

In his intervention, Adrian raised the market town of Halesworth in his constituency, which has this week lost its Post Office, following the closure on Saturday of Coopers hardware store which housed the branch. Adrian also highlighted that Halesworth will be losing its final in-person bank in the town when Barclays withdraws its modest weekly facility at the library altogether in early December.

Adrian said: “The situation in Halesworth is a great cause for concern for my constituents, with residents and businesses alike now facing extreme difficulties accessing banking services. It is deeply disappointing to lose our Post Office at such short notice, especially in rural a community that suffers from very poor public transport provision and has no viable contingency plans in place. The Post Office tell me that they are reviewing their provision in Halesworth and I will continue to press them for a replacement Post Office facility as soon as possible, as well as pressing for the speedier roll out of banking hubs.”