DWYFOR Meirionnydd MP Liz Saville Roberts has launched a scathing attack on the British Banking Association (BBA), accusing them of not giving sufficient consideration to community engagement in their recently-published report on how banks can best serve their customers and communities.

The MP, who has been a vocal critic of recent bank closures in her constituency at Blaenau Ffestiniog, Tywyn and Barmouth, said that the Access to Banking review doesn’t go far enough to address the consecutive failure of high street banks to sufficiently consult with communities prior to branch closures.

Mrs Saville Roberts is also calling on the Welsh Government to conduct a comprehensive review of how best to fulfil the banking needs of Wales’ poorest communities, and called for the ‘last bank on the high street’ special status to be immediately reinstated.

She said: “I’m afraid this review doesn’t cut the mustard when it comes to sufficiently protecting the interests of customers and communities facing the threat of high street bank closures.

“Although I welcome the BBA’s recommendations relating to impact assessments, which sets out a tailored approach to branch closures, I’m not convinced it goes far enough to address the lack of community engagement prior to taking a decision to close a bank."

Read the full story in this Thursday’s north editions of the Cambrian News