10th July 2006
MSP slams cash for cash scandal
Margaret Smith MSP is campaigning
to end the scandal of Edinburgh’s
most deprived communities having to pay for access to their own money.
The West Edinburgh MSP wants banks to work with the Scottish Executive
to restore free services and access for all of their customers. Margaret
has teamed up with the CAB to ask Muirhouse residents for their views.
Margaret said: “Many of the poorest members of our community now
have to pay to gain access to their own money. In areas like Muirhouse
it is impossible to find a cash machine that does not charge up to £1.75
for making a withdrawal. The nearest free money machines are a half hour
walk away.
“Someone on incapacity benefit, making cash withdrawals three times in
one week, could be seeing as much as 8% of their weekly income being taken
in fees. Clearly if this situation continues it will have a very detrimental
effect on the Scottish Executive’s efforts to tackle poverty.”
Margaret added: “I am supporting the recommendations of the Treasury
Select Committee’s 2005 inquiry and have tabled a motion that will
allow other MSPs to do the same.
“As a matter of priority I want
to see all machines that charge clearly labelled and a maximum fee
for withdrawals at a level reflecting the cost
of transactions. I am also calling upon the Scottish Executive to undertake
urgent talks with banks in Scotland to address how they will make adequate
services available in all of our communities.
“We must act quickly to avert the spread of these charges, which the Nationwide
Building Society say could affect 50% of all machines by the end of 2007.
Banks in Scotland must ensure that people have access to at least one
free cash machine in every community.”
Research by the Nationwide Building Society in 2004 found that UK consumers
spent £140 million on cash machine charges and that by the end
of 2007 half of all UK ATMs will charge for withdrawals.
Margaret has been working with Pilton Citizens Advice Bureau (CAB) to carry
out a survey in Muirhouse and has written to all major Scottish banks about
the issue.
Margaret has tabled a motion and a question on this topic in the Scottish
Parliament and on a recent trip to Westminster discussed the campaign with
the Chair of the House of Commons Treasury Select Committee.
If you would like a copy of the Questionnaire about
ATM charges please contact Pilton CAB on 332 9434.
|
