Labour has called on the Chancellor to ban ATM charges and secure free access to cash in order to help "save" Scotland’s high streets.
In January this year, LINK – the industry body which runs the free-to-use cash machine network – announced a 20 per cent cut in ATM funding.
This has reportedly seen 250 free-to-use ATMs close per month across the UK, with one a day closing north of the Border.
Scottish Labour has promised to legislate to give power to and place a duty on the Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) to disallow charges to consumers when withdrawing cash, ensuring all ATMs are free at the point of use.
The party would also introduce a legal requirement for access to free cash through ATMs following a full market review by the PSR to establish demand.
This would be reviewed at regular intervals to ensure all areas that need a free cash machine have access to one.
Rutherglen and Hamilton West MP Ged Killen said: “Phillip Hammond should throw the high streets a lifeline and scrap ATM charges in the Budget.
“By banning ATM charges and introducing stricter rules around access to banking, we can focus on how we best provide these services where they are needed and for free.
"No-one should have to pay to access their own money."
Mr Killen also said that, when ATMs and bank branches disappear, lending to small businesses decreases, footfall on the high street is lost and the risk of financial exclusion grows.
He added: "If we are serious about financial inclusion and economic development outside metropolitan areas, we should seek to protect the services people rely on.”
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