The Doncaster MP has backed a cross-party call

A Doncaster MP has called on a major banking group to restore services.

Lee Pitcher, MP for Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme, has signed a cross-party letter calling on Lloyds Banking Group to restore cheque deposit services at Post Office branches and Banking Hubs.

The letter has been coordinated by Graham Stuart MP and signed by 120 MPs from across the House of Commons.

Signatories include Mel Stride, the Shadow Chancellor, Daisy Cooper, the Liberal Democrat Treasury spokesperson, Adrian Ramsay, Green MP and former Green Party co-leader, former Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn, senior Labour backbencher Graham Stringer, Dave Doogan MP for the SNP and Liz Saville Roberts MP for Plaid Cymru.

It asks Lloyds Banking Group Chief Executive Charlie Nunn to personally review the bank’s decision so older, vulnerable and digitally excluded customers are not left behind.

The issue affects Lloyds customers who rely on Banking Hubs in Rossington and Thorne, as well as Post Office branches across Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme.

Said Mr Pitcher: “Banking Hubs have made a real difference to communities which lost local bank branches. They are helping to keep face-to-face banking alive for residents, small businesses, charities and community groups.

“But Lloyds is the only major British bank which does not allow its customers to deposit cheques at Post Office branches and Banking Hubs. “

MPs say this is unfair to customers who still rely on cheques, especially older residents, disabled people, small businesses, charities and community groups.

Cheques are declining, but they have not disappeared. Pay.UK data shows that 44% of current account holders still use cheques, and Age UK has told Parliament that around half of people aged 65 and over use cheques regularly.

In Q4 2025 alone, 19.6 million cheques worth £26.8 billion were processed.

The MPs also warn that alternatives such as freepost and banking apps do not work for everyone. Some customers cannot use digital banking.

Others need the reassurance of handing a cheque over in person and knowing it has been logged and secured.

Mr Pitcher said: “Banking Hubs have been a real success, and Banking Hubs in Rossington and Thorne are helping to keep face-to-face banking available for people in Doncaster East and the Isle of Axholme.

“But we need to make sure everyone can still access the full range of basic banking services.

“That includes people who still rely on cheques, particularly older residents, disabled customers, small businesses, charities and community groups.

“It is a matter of fairness. People should not be forced to struggle with an app, send cheques through the post, or travel miles when other major banks still allow cheque deposits through Post Offices and Banking Hubs.

“That is why I have signed this cross-party letter calling on Lloyds to look again and restore cheque deposit services.”