Rural post offices to charge £1 fee on cash machines.

By JESSICA BOWN
CASH machine charges will be levied on customers in rural areas who are forced
to turn to post offices for access to their cash.
Consignia, the company that runs the UK’s 18,000-strong post office network,
has confirmed that there will be a £1 charge on all withdrawals from some of
the thousands of cash machines it is installing nationwide.
This is despite the fact that major banks and building societies bowed to
consumer pressure last year and scrapped ATM charges.
Consignia is spending £50million installing ATMs around the country, ready for
the launch of the Universal Bank in 2003. The driving force behind the bank is
the Government’s plan to start paying benefits straight into accounts.
Delivering banking services through post offices has been seen as a solution
to the lack of bank branches in rural areas.
But the scheme now faces fierce criticism. Last week Lib Dem MP Vincent Cable
said the charges hit those who could least afford them.
A Consignia spokesman said: “Cash machines at rural branches would not be
financially viable without a £1 charge.”
Money can still be withdrawn over the counter in the daytime without penalty.
CAPTION: IDYLLIC: Postman Pat’s image is far removed from having to pay for
services
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EXPRESS ON SUNDAY, 15th July 2001