Dearne Valley MP backs campaign to save cashpoints

John Healey, who represents Wentworth and Dearne, has backed a call from consumer organisation Which? and the Federation of Small Businesses to stop communities being left without a machine.

Cashpoints are being closed because LINK, which runs the largest cash machine network, has cut the amount that banks pay operators for withdrawals, making some machines too costly to run.

Across the country, 2,611 machines having disappeared between December 2017 and May this year — almost four per cent of the entire network — and campaigners are worried it could leave high streets without cashpoints and people and businesses finding it difficult to access money, particularly where local banks have shut.

In the Yorkshire and Humber region, there was a 2.7 per cent reduction in the number of cashpoints between last November and April.

The Save our Cashpoints campaign backed by Mr Healey calls on the Payment Systems Regulator to conduct an urgent review to find out the impact of the cashpoint cuts.

Mr Healey said: “Local businesses and residents rely on access to cashpoints. These machines are vital to the community and economy. They play an important part in people’s daily lives. From buying groceries to paying bills, access to cash is essential.

“Given the significant number of local bank branch closures over recent years, some businesses and residents could be left without access to basic banking services.

“The regulator needs to ensure that people aren’t suddenly being left without access to the cash they need.

“Machines are closing at a frightening rate and cashless payment methods aren’t the choice for everyone.”