Monica Lennon MSP condemns RBS branch closures in Hamilton and Larkhall

The Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) has announced plans to close one quarter of their branches in Scotland, including Hamilton Cadzow Street and Larkhall.

Monica Lennon Speaks out on RBS Closures

Monica Lennon has condemned planned RBS branch closures

Monica Lennon, MSP for Central Scotland, has expressed her concern over the planned closures and has requested an urgent meeting with RBS.

Monica Lennon said:

“The news that RBS plans to close its high street branches in Hamilton and Larkhall is extremely worrying.

“Not only will this have a devastating impact on the bank workers who are set to lose their jobs, these closures will also have a negative knock-on effect on the local community.

“Those who are older, in poor health or who cannot afford to travel further afield to do their banking will be disadvantaged by these branch closures. Hamilton and Larkhall residents have been loyal to RBS and this is no way to treat them. This announcement on the eve of Small Business Saturday is also a cruel blow to the local businesses who bank with RBS.

“I have requested an urgent meeting with RBS to discuss these plans, and will be urging them to reconsider.”

RBS plans to close 62 branches of which 11 are in Lanarkshire including the two in Hamilton and Larkhall. Outrage has particularly intense as the as the bank’s majority owner is the UK government that bailed it out in 2008 when the financial crisis almost caused it to collapse. The plans have been described as “savage” by the Unite union. Throughout the UK the RBS group also plans to close 197 NatWest branches. A spokesperson for the bank said “We expect these branch closures to result in around 680 redundancies” and would not rule out compulsory redundancies.

The 11 Lanarkshire branches planned to close are