PARLIAMENTARY WRITTEN QUESTION
Post Office: Bank Services (24 October 2019)

To ask the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy, what support is being provided to elderly or frail Barclays customers to withdraw cash once their ability to use the Post Office facility is withdrawn.

Asked by:
Caroline Nokes (Conservative)

On 8th October 2019 the Post Office announced a new Banking Framework agreement with 28 UK banks to ensure that millions of their customers continue to have national, free access to everyday banking services. ​27 high street banks signed up in full, but Barclays had uniquely opted out of cash withdrawal services. Whilst this was a commercial decision for Barclays to make, the Government remained concerned about the implications of their decision, especially for vulnerable customers. ​

We are pleased that on 25^th October after significant encouragement for the bank to reconsider, Barclays announced their decision to reverse their initial decision to opt out of cash withdrawals under Banking Framework 2. This will ensure that all in the communities around the UK, in particular the elderly or frail have access to withdraw cash.

Answered by:
Kelly Tolhurst (Conservative)
31 October 2019