Oh Dear Another Loony Labour Policy!

[ToraToraTora]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-39596343

[Zacs-Master]

I think this comes under 'tinkering at the edges'.

[ToraToraTora]

or fiddling.........whilst something burns perhaps?

[Zacs-Master]

Corbyn's reputation.

[Hopkirk]

King Canute springs to mind

[New Judge]

Actually I think it comes under "interfering in matters which no government should get involved in".

[ToraToraTora]

quite judge, not sure why a political party are interested in what banks do with their branches. Iv'e been in a bank about 4 times in the last 6 years!

[hereIam]

I don't think it's 'loony'. I agree with it.

[New Judge]

so you agree with the government controlling what private businesses do to the extent that it should dictate how many branches it should run?

[hereIam]

No, I agree with not closing banks !!

[New Judge]

When you said you agreed with it, I assumed you agreed with the idea that the government should somehow have a say in the matter.

What about Tesco's or Sainsbury's deciding to shut some of their branches? Should the government have some input to that as well?

[Old_Geezer]

People need banks, folk are not paid in cash any more whether they like it or not. It is unreasonable to expect folk, especially the old, have to go miles out of their way.

Banks get enough privileges to make money from the public, the least they can do is operate under a licence that demands sufficient branches for the public. Rules should be formulated to account for size etc.. Banks already have too few tellers on in the reduced number of branches that remain, they should consider that they are supposed to be providing a service: not telling folk that doesn't suit the bank and they all have to use the Internet and have nothing in hand to file which proves the transactions they made. Hardly loony; sounds a brave and brilliant suggestion really.

[New Judge]

Everybody who needs cash gets their shopping from somewhere, OG. People can get "Cashback" from most supermarkets. "Holes in the wall" are also provided all over the place. I really don't understand why people need to have a bank on their doorstep. I haven't been into my bank for almost eighteen months. I only went then because somebody sent me a cheque. I could have dealt with that by post but I happened to be passing my branch.

Banks are private companies and there is plenty of competition. The government has no business interfering in their running. Mr Corbyn's idea is part of the Socialist ideal where government has to have its fingers in every pie imaginable. Governments (of all colours) are very rarely successful when they involve themselves in business. The banks have enough government interference to deal with without them being told what branches they must keep open.

[Old_Geezer]

Who wants a pittance from a supermarket where you need to buy stuff too ? Holes in the wall don't stamp and sign​ paid bills. I'm at the bank every few weeks or else I have no proper records. When all banks agree to reduce service then there is no proper competition. If a vital service is in private hands then there should be obligatory basics that are provided as part of the framework that business operates in.

[ToraToraTora]

crikey, OG, you on the electric yet? All my banking is automatic, I barely even log in, let alone visit a branch. Salary goes in and I get cash out of the ATM when I need it, everything else is automatic.

[Jackdaw33]

The last time I was in my branch was three years ago and then only because the ATM was not working properly and swallowed my card.

[Philoctetes]

Perhaps there should be "a bank" on every high street, but open to customers of all banks to pay in cheques, get bills stamped etc etc. Each branch could be nominally run by a different company, and provide that company's services beyond normal till work. If banks wished to compete for custom in an area, they could open an alternative branch. But in no way is this for the government to direct

[Jackdaw33]

I must admit that on-line banking has made my life so much easier. All
my bills are paid either by DD, SO or BACS. No more queuing.