21st March 2007

NEW FREE CASH MACHINES FOR CLWYD SOUTH

Local Labour MP MARTYN JONES today hailed a ground-breaking deal which will provide 600 new non-charging cash machines throughout the country in areas like Clwyd South, and place clear signs on every cash machine in Clwyd South to show whether or not they charge a fee for cash withdrawals.

The new agreement is aimed at helping people on lower incomes to start up bank accounts and ensure that they can access those accounts as easily and cheaply as possible.

Treasury Minister Ed Balls and the Chair of Parliament's Treasury Select Committee John McFall struck the agreement with the leading banks and cash machine operators.

Martyn Jones, Labour MP for Clwyd South, said:

"I have been campaigning in Parliament both for increased access to free cash machines in areas like Clwyd South and for cash machines throughout Clwyd South to carry clear signs to show people whether they charge fees or not. I am glad this
campaigning has paid off.

"I will now be working to identify sites where new free cash machines could be installed."

John McFall, who chaired the ATM Working Group, said:

"This is a huge step forward in Labour's campaign for financial inclusion. The banks, building societies and cash machine operators who have worked with us on this plan deserve to be congratulated for their constructive and innovative work, which will mean a huge expansion in access to free cash machines for people in areas like Clwyd South and crystal clear transparency on the question of charging."

Treasury Minister Ed Balls said:

"This agreement will extend free access to cash to those who need it the most and enable all customers to distinguish immediately between charging and non-chargingmachines. I welcome the response made by the banks and cash machine operators to the campaigning of Clwyd South and other Labour MPs."