Access to cash and local banking services are still vital for many living in Mid Norfolk – especially the elderly, the vulnerable and small businesses.

That’s why I’ve been campaigning so hard on this issue (see my campaign page here) – and why I was delighted to visit recently the temporary home of the new Community Banking Hub in Watton.

See my video above.

Rest assured however, I will continue to work hard to bring about further improvements – continuing my support of the Nationwide Banking Bill (see more here and here) and working with colleagues to reform the “last bank in town” rule that prevents LINK from recommending Community Banking Hubs in many communities where local bank provision is still inadequate (see here).

I welcome the news from Government that, following further conversations with participating High Street banks, a number of improvements are being made to the Community Banking Hub programme – including:

• An agreed improved level of banking services in Hubs
• A guarantee that personal customers will not need to bring their own devices into Hubs to use banking services
• Trialling a ‘customer liaison service’ in Hubs
• Trialling Saturday openings

But there is more that needs to be done to support rural communities like our own here in Mid Norfolk.

I look forward to providing further updates as I drive forward this work in the weeks and months ahead.