That this House welcomes the opening of a banking hub in the Shropshire market town of Whitchurch, providing vital in-person banking and cash services to its residents; notes that the constituency of North Shropshire has lost five high street bank branches since 2021; acknowledges the contribution of Cash Access UK in supporting communities that have lost access to building society and bank branches; further notes that rural residents are left isolated by poor transport links and a decline of available high street services in market towns; believes that market towns such as Ellesmere and Wem, which lack any in-person banking services, should be eligible for banking hubs; recognises the danger of digital exclusion to many constituents due to banking increasingly being conducted online; and calls on the Secretary of State for Business and Trade to engage with local Rt hon. and hon. Members and banks to ensure there are adequate in-person banking facilities in every market town.
