Dr Kieran Mullan, MP for Bexhill and Battle, has welcomed a major breakthrough after Lloyds Banking Group agreed to seek the restoration of cheque deposit services at Post Office branches and Banking Hubs until the end of 2030. Dr Kieran Mullan was one of 121 MPs from across the House of Commons who signed a cross-party letter coordinated by Graham Stuart MP calling on Lloyds to think again. The letter was sent to Lloyds Banking Group Chief Executive Charlie Nunn after residents and MPs warned that older, vulnerable and digitally excluded customers were being left without access to a basic banking service still offered by other major banks. The issue matters to Lloyds customers who rely on the Banking Hub at Bexhill-on-Sea and local Post Office branches across Bexhill and Battle.
In its response, Lloyds said it had reflected on feedback from customers and MPs and had asked the Post Office to accept cheque deposits into Lloyds accounts in Post Offices and Banking Hubs until the end of 2030. The change is subject to the Post Office agreeing acceptable commercial terms with Lloyds. MPs say Lloyds and the Post Office must now get the agreement signed so customers can deposit cheques locally again. Banking Hubs have made a real difference to communities which lost local bank branches. They are helping to keep face-to-face banking alive for residents, small businesses, charities and community groups. But Lloyds was the only major British bank which did not allow its customers to deposit cheques at Post Office branches and Banking Hubs. That caused problems for customers who still rely on cheques, especially older residents, disabled people, small businesses, charities and community groups.
The cross-party letter was signed by MPs from across Parliament, including Mel Stride, the Shadow Chancellor; Daisy Cooper, the Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesperson; Adrian Ramsay, Green MP and former Green Party co-leader; former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn; senior Labour backbencher Graham Stringer; Dave Doogan MP for the SNP; and Liz Saville Roberts MP for Plaid Cymru. Government ministers are unable to sign such letters, but several wrote to Lloyds in a personal capacity to raise the issue.
In its letter, Lloyds said it understood that for some customers, particularly those who are older or vulnerable, familiarity and reassurance remain important. It also said the decision to extend cheque deposits for a transition period until 2030 would ensure that those who may need more time are supported.
Dr Kieran Mullan said:
This is a welcome step forward for customers who still need to deposit cheques locally. The Banking Hub at Bexhill-on-Sea and local Post Offices are important for people across Bexhill and Battle. They help keep face-to-face banking available for residents, small businesses, charities and community groups. But we need to make sure everyone can still access the full range of basic banking services. It is a matter of fairness. People should not be forced to struggle with an app, send cheques through the post, or travel miles when other major banks allow cheque deposits through Post Offices and Banking Hubs. Lloyds has now moved in the right direction. Lloyds and the Post Office now need to get the agreement signed so customers can deposit cheques locally again.
Graham Stuart said:
This is a real win for residents who spoke up and told me Lloyds was letting them down. Banking Hubs are fantastic. They are helping to keep face-to-face banking alive in communities which have lost local bank branches. But Lloyds customers were still being told they could not deposit cheques at Post Offices and Banking Hubs, even though other major banks allowed it. That was not fair, especially for older residents, disabled people, small businesses, charities and community groups who still use cheques. So I raised it in Parliament and coordinated a letter signed by 121 MPs from across the House of Commons. Lloyds has now changed course. That is welcome. But the job is not finished. Lloyds and the Post Office now need to get the agreement signed so customers can deposit cheques locally again.
