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Plaid Cymru MP welcomes Barclays u-turn on Post Office Cash Access

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PLAID CYMRU MP Jonathan Edwards has today welcomed the decision by Barclays to reverse its decision to discontinue customers withdrawing money from Post Office branches.

In 2017 the Post Office and the major UK High Street banks entered into an industry-wide agreement enabling anyone with a UK bank account to undertake a wide range of banking transactions at post offices. This step made local banking facilities available for individuals and businesses in communities where the last bank branch has closed.

The Post Office recently announced a new Banking Framework agreement with 28 UK banks that ensures that the banks’ customers can continue to have free access to a range of cash and cheque banking services across the 930 Post Office branches in Wales. Barclays was the only bank not to fully sign up to the agreement with the Post Office removing the facility to withdraw cash from Post Office branches for the bank’s customers.
Responding to many complaints from constituents, the Carmarthenshire East and Dinefwr MP, Jonathan Edwards, who had written to Barclays earlier this month to request the bank reconsiders its decision said he was “delighted to have played a role alongside customers in raising serious concerns” about the banks u-turn.

Plaid Cymru MP, Jonathan Edwards said:

“The original decision by Barclays led to a number of its customers contacting me from across the constituency.

“Everyday banking services provided by the Post Office for customers of major banks are a lifeline for many of my constituents, especially the elderly and the vulnerable living in rural communities, who have suffered from these same banks closing a number of their branches over the past few years.

“For example, Barclays closed its Llandovery branch earlier this year leaving the town without any of the major banks risking vital banking services and leaving local customers reliant upon the Post Office. Barclays u-turn will now ensure its customers continue to have the facility of easy access to cash from the Post Office.

“I am delighted to have played a role alongside customers in raising serious concerns when I wrote to Barclays earlier this month to urge them to reconsider their decision.

“Also I understand Barclays has committed to keeping open its branches in towns where there are few other options for a period of two years – this includes the branch in Llandeilo.”

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