Anthony Mangnall, the Conservative Party Candidate for Totnes, has called out Barclays Bank for their "disastrous and damaging policy" in opting out of providing cash withdrawal services at Post Offices.
Barclays Bank has announced that it has opted out of the agreement with Post Offices to provide cash withdrawal services. In a decision that Which? called "shocking" and that the Payment System Regulator expressed its grave "concern about the impact" that this would have on local residents and the future of Post Offices across the country.
The Post Office announced a new agreement with 28 banks and building societies that covered the next three years from January 2020. Under this agreement the Post Office will take and dispense cash. Barclays is the only one to exclude cash withdrawals from its part of the agreement.
Anthony said after his meeting with Gary Deare, Galmpton Village shop owner, "it is disappointing that Barclays feels it can abandon its rural clients so easily. Many of the residents I have spoken to have told me how they rely on their Post Office for their financial services especially when it comes to pensions. This decision is obviously a London-centric policy that bears little understanding of how our rural communities operate or the importance of a cash within our society.
The Conservative candidate pledged to work with all Village Shops and Post Offices across the region to ensure that the important services they provide get the support they needed. Added to which Anthony has written to Barclays asking them to reconsider their position and offer full cash withdrawal and deposit services.