Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe MP David Chadwick has urged the Prime Minister to intervene over the upcoming closure of Lloyds Bank in Pontardawe - the last remaining bank in the town.

The branch is set to close on November 20, leaving Pontardawe without any high street banking facilities. Speaking during Prime Minister’s Questions today, Mr Chadwick said the move would hit elderly and vulnerable customers hardest, with more than 31,000 Lloyds customers across his constituency now affected by branch closures in Brecon, Presteigne, Ystradgynlais and Pontardawe.

He told MPs: “Lloyds Bank have over 31,000 customers in my constituency. Many of those customers, particularly the elderly and the vulnerable, are struggling to get out their own cash.

“That’s because Lloyds have closed their branches in Brecon, in Presteigne, in Ystradgynlais, and before the end of the month in Pontardawe. That’s despite making billions in profits and paying their CEO £5 million.

“Will the Prime Minister write to Lloyds Bank and ask them to keep that last branch in Pontardawe open?”

In response, Sir Keir Starmer thanked Mr Chadwick for raising the issue, said he would look into the situation in Pontardawe, and said the government was continuing to roll out shared banking hubs.

“We’re rolling out hubs - some of them already in place, and more to come - and I’ll happily update him on where they’re likely to be,” he said.

But Mr Chadwick has said he has already applied for banking hubs in Pontardawe, Brecon, Builth Wells and Presteigne, with each of these applications refused. A banking hub did open in Ystradgynlais in May, after a lengthy campaign.

Banking hubs allow customers of all major banks to carry out everyday transactions such as withdrawals, deposits, balance checks and bill payments. They also typically provide a community banker service, offering customers the chance to speak to their own bank in private.

Speaking after the exchange, Mr Chadwick said: “The people of Pontardawe are about to lose their last bank, and whilst I welcome the Prime Minister’s commitment to look into the case, we need stronger action from the Government.

“Elderly and vulnerable customers who rely on face-to-face banking in Pontardawe will now have to travel miles just to withdraw their own money. That is unacceptable, but it is becoming far too commonplace in my constituency.

“It is shameful that big banks like Lloyds continue to post record profits while shutting branches across Brecon, Radnor and Cwm Tawe. Our communities built these banks through years of loyal custom, and now they are slamming the doors in our faces.

“The Government cannot keep turning a blind eye while banks profit from abandoning our communities. They must take responsibility and stand up for the people who depend on local banking services every day.”

Lloyds Bank has already closed several branches across the constituency, including Ystradgynlais on September 19 in 2023, Brecon on February 11 this year, and Presteigne on March 3. Each time, the bank has cited declining in-person use as the reason for shutting its doors.