More free cash machines needed in North Edinburgh say Lib Dems

12.00.00am GMT Wed 7th Feb 2007

Local Liberal Democrats have welcomed a pledge by banks to increase the number of free-to-use cash machines in deprived communities and is campaigning to ensure North Edinburgh is not left out.

A new agreement, in response to a UK parliamentary committee report, means that banks will contribute to the cost of setting up and running up to 600 free machines across the UK.

Approximately 25% of all cash machines now charge customers for money taken out costing people over £100 million every year. Fees can be as much as 15%, which hit those on lower incomes the hardest.

Liberal Democrat MSP, Margaret Smith, who has been campaigning for more free to use cash machines said, "Being denied free access to your own money is one of the most unfair elements of modern society. Today's announcement goes some way to addressing that.

"The system of paying to receive your money is grossly unfair. Especially as we move to a system of benefits being paid directly into bank accounts, we need free access to our own money. This is a must, especially for deprived communities right across Scotland."