Labour has been slammed for “sitting on its hands” following another round of plans for mass bank branch closures. Spanish banking giant Santander announced that 44 more UK locations will shutter for good this year, putting 291 jobs at risk. 

It comes less than a year after the business announced the closure of 95 branches last March, as part of a round of cuts that affected 750 workers. As many as 432 bank branches closed in 2025 between NatWest, Halifax, Lloyds, Bank of Scotland, TSB and Barclays, a Which? analysis showed. Charities have called on the Government to act as more pensioners and other digitally excluded groups face barriers to carrying out everyday banking. “The Government is sitting on its hands as our high streets are denuded of bank branches. This is just the latest in a long line of branch closures intended to force the whole population onto digital banking and hasten the demise of cash.”Dennis Reed, director of charity Silver Voices, said. 

He added: “Pensioners and other digitally excluded groups are being forced to travel long distances to conduct everyday banking, such as paying bills and using cheques.

Banks have been justifying branch closures due to reduced footfall, as more customers opt for online banking. Santander said 96% of all transactions are now completed through digital channels.

‘Banking hubs’, which allow customers from any bank to conduct everyday banking activities, are set up in areas without a bank presence. 

There are currently 210 Banking Hubs across the UK, ATM network Link said. Labour has pledged to roll out 350 Hubs by the end of Parliament. While the sites have been largely welcomed, it’s argued that the support isn’t wide-reaching. 

Mr Reed said: “Much lauded ‘banking hubs’ are few and far between. The Government must get a grip on this crisis, which is also destroying our high streets.” 

Even among older people who are digitally confident, campaigners warn that “poverty can still be a barrier”.

Research by Independent Age found that 46% of older adults living on a low income have struggled to keep up with their broadband costs.

Morgan Vine, director of policy and influencing at Independent Age, said: “We hear from older people on a low income who are worried about losing access to their local bank branch. Many rely on speaking to someone in person and are unable to do their banking digitally. 

“Phone and data bills, as well as smartphone handsets, can be too expensive for people living on low incomes, and some may be nervous of scams.”

Caroline Abrahams CBE, charity director at Age UK, said: “We know that older people value face-to-face banking as it’s a trusted source which also involves conversation and human interaction. 

“The ability to manage your own financial affairs in a manner that suits your needs is important for everyone, and without this, many would find that they struggle to stay on top of their finances, balance their budgets and purchase essential goods and services. 

“Age UK is calling for the protection of physical banking services for those who do not, or cannot bank online, and for the accelerated roll-out of shared Banking Hubs in areas where bank branches are fast withering away.”

She added: “The disappearance of face-to-face banking risks cutting a significant minority of the older population out of an essential service, making it difficult if not impossible for them to manage their money and maintain their independence.”

A Treasury spokesperson told Express.co.uk: “We recognise the vital role that face-to-face banking plays for communities, which is why we are working closely with industry to roll out 350 banking hubs by the end of this Parliament. More than 200 have already been opened with agreements in place to open 250, protecting in-person banking services across the country.”

A spokesperson for Santander UK, said: “In response to a continuing and sizeable shift towards customers using digital banking, we are making changes to our branches to better support our customers. 

“We will continue to invest in both our branch network – comprising of full-service branches, counter-free branches, reduced-hour branches, Santander Locals, and our increasingly popular Work Cafés – as well as our digital banking services, so we can be there to support our customers however they choose to bank with us.”