I am writing as I thought you may be interested that your local MP Colin Breed has shown his support for free access to cash machines, signing an Early Day Motion (EDM), in the House of Commons.
We at Nationwide were pleased to note Colin Breed's support as we are also very much against surcharging for withdrawals from cash machines.
We believe the proposed changes to be excessive, especially as organisations are already recompensed through LINK via an interchange fee.
An additional concern is that those living in a deprived or rural area with only one ATM may be particularly affected. If changes were imposed customers may have no option other than to use the One ATM and incur a £1 charge on each occasion.
Two such withdrawals each week would cost the consumer over £100 each year!
Such charges would also disproportionately penalise low-income customers as they are likely to make smaller but more frequent withdrawals.
The EDM tabled by David Chidgey, the Liberal Democrat MP for Eastleigh, is "that this house congratulates those financial institutions which are continuing to offer free access to cash machines; expresses concern that the link cash machine network is considering the introduction of a surcharge of £1 per withdrawal from cash machines when cash machine providers already receive a LINK interchange fee; notes the crucial role played by free cash machines in promoting financial inclusion in deprived and rural areas; and therefore urges all financial institutions not to adopt surcharging, due to adverse effect this will have on the consumer in general and particularly those on low incomes and those living in areas with limited cash machine coverage."
Sherrie Rowlands
Nationwide Building Society
Pipers Way
Swindon SN38 1NW