On the day of the Royal Bank of Scotland Annual General Meeting (Wednesday 30^th May 2018), Barbara Keeley MP is calling on the bank to halt its plans to close branches in Worsley and Eccles South.

On 1^st May, Royal Bank of Scotland took the decision to close 162 branches across the country.  The North West is disproportionately affected with 64 of these being in the region.  Two of the branches set for closure serve people living in Worsley and Eccles South (Walkden and Eccles branches).

Barbara Keeley, Member of Parliament for Worsley and Eccles South, said:

“I am calling on RBS to halt their planned closures and enter into meaningful consultation again with Unite.  The planned closures are a serious concern for RBS staff and for the communities they serve. Older and vulnerable people rely on high-street banks, and profit must not be put before these needs.”

“Labour have pledged to tighten up the law to ensure that banks continue to provide an essential public service for local businesses and for the people who use them.”

Shadow Chancellor John McDonnell has said:

“High street bank closures have become an epidemic in the last few years, blighting our town centres, and hurting particularly elderly and more vulnerable customers whilst making healthy profits. It’s time our banks recognise instead that they are a utility providing an essential public service.

“Only Labour will put in place the legal obligations needed to bring banks into line and stand up for our high streets, communities and small businesses.”

Full list of planned closures here