WELSH Liberal Democrat MP David Chadwick has urged the Prime Minister to intervene in the planned closure of Lloyds Bank in Pontardawe, the last remaining branch in the town.
During Prime Minister’s Questions, Mr Chadwick asked Rishi Sunak to write directly to Lloyds Bank and request that the Pontardawe branch remains open. He highlighted that more than 31,000 Lloyds customers across Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe are being affected by a series of closures in Brecon, Presteigne, Ystradgynlais and now Pontardawe.
Lloyds made more than £4.5bn in profit last year, while its chief executive Charlie Nunn received more than £5m in pay.
Mr Chadwick told the Commons that elderly and vulnerable residents are already struggling to access cash and essential banking services: “Lloyds have closed their branches in Brecon, in Presteigne, in Ystradgynlais, and before the end of the month in Pontardawe. That’s despite making billions in profits and paying their CEO £5 million.”
The Prime Minister suggested that banking hubs could provide a solution. However, Mr Chadwick has already submitted applications for hubs in Pontardawe, Brecon, Builth Wells and Presteigne. Each was rejected. A hub was eventually secured in Ystradgynlais after what he described as a lengthy and difficult campaign.
Following the exchange, Mr Chadwick said communities should not have to “fight tooth and nail” every time a bank shuts its doors.
He added that residents in Pontardawe will soon be forced to travel long distances just to withdraw cash. “It is shameful that big banks like Lloyds continue to post record profits while shutting branches across Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe. Our communities built these banks through years of loyal custom, and now they are slamming the doors in our faces.”
Mr Chadwick called on the UK Government to “take responsibility” and protect access to local banking services.
