National day of action on RBS bank closures

The SNP has announced that it is planning a national day of action, in the latest stage of the campaign to prevent RBS bank branch closures across Scotland.

SNP MPs, MSPs, and community campaigners will gather in towns across the country on Saturday 10th March, to collect petition signatures, and pile further pressure on RBS chiefs to halt their “damaging and misguided” plans to shut down 62 Scottish branches.

Last week, RBS announced a reprieve for ten of the most remote branches, after direct talks with SNP Westminster Leader Ian Blackford.

The SNP welcomed the move but warned it did not go nearly far enough, and pledged the campaign to save the remaining branches would continue.

The SNP have raised the issue four times at Prime Ministers Questions, and in three separate parliamentary debates, calling on the Tory UK government to use its “power and responsibility” as the majority shareholder to intervene.

Mr Blackford said: “After huge pressure from the SNP and community campaigners, RBS announced a reprieve for ten local branches – but our fight to save the remaining banks continues.

“The SNP national day of action is aimed at keeping the pressure up on RBS. They have shown they are willing to listen - but their damaging and misguided plans to continue with the closure of 52 branches across Scotland are completely unacceptable and must be challenged.

“As a majority shareholder, the Tory UK government has the power and responsibility to intervene, and prevent these vital local banks from closing. They are letting Scotland down by repeatedly refusing to do anything.

“These banks are hugely important to communities across Scotland – with local people and businesses set to lose out if the Tory government continues to dismiss their concerns, and let RBS off the hook.

“The SNP will continue to use every avenue to save these banks, it is time that the Tories and Labour got behind the campaign, put pressure on the UK government, and work with us to get the best outcome for Scotland.”