§ Mr. Paul MarsdenTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will investigate the impact on rural communities of the change in the number of rural branches of banks in the last five years; and if he will make a statement. [107250]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonThe recent Treasury Policy Action Team (PAT 14) report on "Access to Financial Services" found that the relationship between bank branch closures and financial exclusion is far from straightforward. The general theme of the report is that tackling financial exclusion requires the development of new products and new ways to access them. Different techniques may suit different circumstances. These may help financially excluded people across the whole community, not just in deprived neighbourhoods.