BAILED-OUT banking giant RBS came under fire this week – after revealing plans to close its branch in Bo’ness.
The company cited “low” demand for its North Street base – which is only open in the mornings throughout the week. It says the branch will close on April 12, with staff moving to other offices.
However politicians, including Labour’s Adrian Mahoney and Michael Connarty, have urged the company to re-think their plans and keep the branch open.
News of the closure came as RBS revealed it was set to give its chief executive Stephen Hester a bonus package of almost £1 million on top of his £1.2 million salary. The campaign website 38 degrees is urging people to sign an online petition asking Mr Hester to refuse the bonus.
An RBS spokesman said of the Bo’ness branch closure: “The branch only opens 15 hours per week at the moment and no jobs will be lost – staff will be moved to other branches in the area. Closing a branch is not a decision we take lightly, however demand for our service at Bo’ness is very low. Many customers are now choosing alternative ways of banking, such as 24-hour online and telephone services and our Smartphone banking app. The nearest branch is Linlithgow and customers can also access their money at any local Post Office. There are also 50 ATMS within around 4 miles."
Bo’ness Labour Councillor Adrian Mahoney urged the bank to re-think its plans. He said: “I think the ‘low demand’ for RBS’s services in Bo’ness might be down to the low number of hours the branch is open. I really hope the Bank reconsiders its position, but fear it will not. In a week when we learn of the obscene bonus being paying to the bank’s chief executive, we see that ordinary customers are on the ones to suffer.
“These are the same customers – or taxpayers – who helped bail out RBS. This branch closure will hurt small businesses in the town and local folk, particularly those without cars, who bank with RBS. For some pensioners a ‘smartphone app’ won’t help. If the bank wants to save money, I’d suggest its chief executive Stephen Hester, could help by refusing his £1 million bonus package. Alternatively, the bank could cut some of its very large corporate sponsorship deals or all those expensive and annoying TV ads, that tell us RBS is ‘Here for You’. Actually, the public were here for them – and this is how they are repaid.”
The town’s Labour MP, Michael Connarty, added: “The closure of RBS in Bo’ness would be a betrayal of loyal customers and businesses. Eighty one per cent of RBS shares are owned by the British people, but it appears that the Conservative/Lib Dem coalition UK Government are not willing to prevent RBS from cutting branches and jobs while paying their executives £millions in bonuses. I will be challenging the Government and RBS on this planned closure and look forward to the local representatives at all levels working together on behalf of the people of Bo’ness.”
Related on www.scottishlabour.org.uk: SALMOND’S SILENCE ON RBS BONUS IS DEAFENING – JAMIESON
