Welsh Liberal Democrat MP slams Lloyds for closing more banks that will impact his constituents.

Lloyds has announced it iannounced it was closing 130 more branches. The closures include both Leominster and Ludlow in South Shropshire, meaning residents in Knighton and Presteigne will now need to travel all the way to Hereford or Newtown to access in-person banking.

Presteigne’s own Lloyds Branch is scheduled to close in March following an announcement last summer.

In the south of the constituency, Lloyds is shutting in Pontardawe Branch. This means the entire Swansea Valley, home to over 25,000 people won’t have a single bank after Lloyds previously pulled out of Ystradgynlais.

Commenting, Welsh Liberal Democrat MP for Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe David Chadwick said:

“This is a disgraceful decision from Lloyds. Entire communities are being left without a bank even within driving distance now.

“High street banks are treating their customers appallingly despite making billions of pounds in profit and Labour are failing to reign in the big banks and cooperate greed.

“Banks claim to support inclusion, yet they ignore those who need in-person services the most. They have a duty to serve their communities, not just their shareholders.”

“I will be continuing to talk to LINK and pressuring the Government to try and secure more banking hubs where I can and access to ATMs at the very least where I cannot.”