Smith speaks out about cash machine charges

4/12/06

Margaret Smith MSP was a keynote speaker at the Citizen Advice Bureau's Social Policy Conference recently. Margaret had been asked to speak about her campaign with Pilton CAB to get a free-to-use ATM sited in Muirhouse, which currently has no free-to-use machines.

Margaret said, "I was delighted to be able to tell delegates about the work I had been doing with my local CAB to campaign for a free-to-use ATM in one of Edinburgh's most deprived areas. Currently there are no free machines in Muirhouse. The machine at Muirhouse Shopping Centre charges £1.99 for a withdrawal which means that a resident on benefits, taking money out three times a week can be paying around 8% of their weekly income on charges."

Recently HBoS and the Royal Bank of Scotland both announced plans to site free-to-use machines in deprived communities including Muirhouse. Margaret Smith MSP and John Barrett MP undertook a site visit to the area with HBoS officials to look at suitable sites. However regulations about the distance between cash machines has meant that neither Muirhouse Shopping Centre or the Drylaw shops are suitable or available. HBoS are now in discussions with NEAR and local community groups about the possibility of siting a machine at the Council offices at West Pilton Gardens.

Margaret said, "It is now likely that the ATM will be installed in West Pilton. I'd prefer to see the machine sited at Muirhouse Shopping Centre but HBoS haven't been able to secure a lease. West Pilton isn't the best location for the machine but it's better than the situation at present. Planning permission has yet to be sought, but I hope to see a free-to-use machine in place next Spring."