MORE than half of banks in Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk have closed since 2015, new figures from consumer champion Which? has shown.

And the number of ATMs in the area has reduced by almost 20 per cent.

Up to the end of April, 18 banks have closed in the area since the start of 2015, leaving 14 remaining.

Separate figures from LINK, a cash machine network, show there has also been a decline in the number of free-to-use ATMs across the UK in recent years.

Their data shows that between the start of 2018 and early March this year, the number of ATMs in Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk dropped from 73 to 59.

 

Elsewhere a third of banks in Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale have closed since 2015, new figures show.

Eight banks have been shuttered in that region since the start of 2015, leaving 15 remaining in the area.

Their data shows that between the start of 2018 and early March this year, the number of ATMs in Dumfriesshire, Clydesdale and Tweeddale dropped from 79 to 53.

The increasing use of online banking and contactless payments have led to concerns some will be left behind, or unable to access key services.

Which? chief executive, Anabel Hoult, said: “While the pandemic has accelerated the move to digital payments for many consumers, many are not yet ready to make that switch and require protection from an avalanche of ATM and bank branch closures that have left the UK’s cash system at risk of collapse.”

A bill to protect access to cash was announced as part of the Queen’s Speech in May. The Treasury says the new legislation will ensure “continued access to withdrawal and deposit facilities across the UK”.

Economic secretary to the Treasury, John Glen, said: “We know that access to cash is still vital for many people, especially those in vulnerable groups.

“We promised we would protect it, and through this bill we are delivering on that promise.”

Which? welcomed the bill but said it “must ensure that clear requirements are placed on industry to meet communities’ need for cash”.

Recent research by the Royal Society of Arts estimates 10 million people in the UK would struggle in a cashless society.

The research suggests the elderly and those in areas with poor mobile or broadband connectivity have suffered most in the move to digital banking.

RSA researcher Mark Hall said: “For millions of people, their relationship with cash is critical to the way they manage their weekly budget.

“It’s vital that the dash to digital doesn’t disenfranchise anyone, especially with the cost-of-living crisis putting such significant strain on family finances right now.”