INVERCLYDE'S MP has welcomed new government rules on access to cash in communities but says they should have been brought in much sooner.

Ronnie Cowan MP says he will hold the government to its pledge to fine banks and building societies which fail to comply with new measures which say the 'vast majority of people' should be no more than three miles away from being able to withdraw cash.

The Inverclyde MP has campaigned on the issue of access to cash in local communities since being elected in 2015.

In 2021 he told parliament how the number of free-to-use ATMs locally had dropped from 87 to 68 in three years.

The SNP man raised the issue in parliament again in March, when he said he wanted a firm policy commitment for a cash and card approach.

Government figures show that 85 per cent of payments no longer involve coins and notes but Mr Cowan has demanded that transactions and access to cash through banks and post offices should still be as free and convenient.

He said: "The UK Government has dragged its feet on this despite what I and other MPs have repeatedly told them.

"The problems being encountered by my constituents and people across Scotland and the UK should have been obvious to all, and could have been acted on much more quickly.

"So I want to see these new powers applied and enforced.

"Given that these are banks, the power to fine will need to have teeth, and the amount of the fine will need to reflect the resources of some of these banks.

"Many people, like the elderly, or people with additional needs, or small business owners, prefer to deal in cash or need to deal in cash.

"We have seen an erosion of the amount of cash machines in communities, and severe pressure put on the business models of sub post offices.

"These outlets are crucial for cash services and they act as a community hub.

"That in turn boosts footfall on our high streets and helps small businesses."