A report calling for urgent action to improve access to banking facilities and ATMs has been welcomed by local Assembly Member Paul Davies. The Assembly’s Economy, Infrastructure and Skills Committee has published a report with a series of recommendations for the Welsh Government, to improve access to ATMs across the country. The report highlighted that between January 2015 and August 2019, Wales lost over two fifths of its bank branches, 239 in all.

Responding to the report, Preseli Pembrokeshire AM Paul Davies said, “Access to banking has been a particular problem in Pembrokeshire for some time. In recent years we’ve seen bank branch closures right across the County and this is having a very serious impact on the viability of our local communities. Therefore, I welcome the Committee’s report and any efforts to try and improve the current situation. Online banking isn’t an option for some people and so it’s crucial that access is made available so that people have access to their own finances. I will be monitoring the Welsh Government’s progress on this matter very carefully and I look forward to seeing some positive steps taken to improve access to banking facilities in Pembrokeshire and right across Wales.”