Last month, Lloyds Banking Group announced that they will be closing 136 bank branches across the country. The Tyne Valley in Northumberland will see another three branches close their doors – two in Hexham and one in Prudhoe – meaning that customers in Hexham will need to travel over 15 miles to Consett to visit their nearest Lloyds branch. If bank branches continue closing at such a rate, we face living in a society where those unable to bank digitally are financially excluded. Bishop Helen-Ann leads a debate in the House of Lords on the importance of rural banking services.
