Anna Sabine

Anna Sabine

Liberal Democrat — Frome and East Somerset

Speaking in the House of Commons on 11 December 2024

Debate

Financial Inclusion: Rural Areas

Contribution

I totally agree. I had not considered that for my speech, but I will take away unregulated moneylending as a point to note. Since the Financial Conduct Authority changed its regulations, Link has been able to do some valuable work to provide cash access to local areas. However, I urge the Government to look at how to make the regulations for Link more flexible to allow it to work on a case-by-case basis, as the current criteria do not take into account certain geographical and other barriers that affect rural areas. We know that 93% of people live within 1 mile of an ATM, which on paper sounds good, but it does not take into account issues that might come up in rural areas. For example, if someone lives in a village or hamlet, that 1-mile walk might have no safe walking routes and no bus connection. That is why we want to see the legislation expanded to include specific geographical, physical and societal barriers, so that they are taken into consideration.

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