Cash machine charges should be banned and banks must ensure people have free access to their cash according to a MP.

Politicians at Westminster are debating cuts to the ATM network with people in many poorer communities cut off from free cash machines.

Ged Killen, Rutherglen, Labour MP has published a Bill which would ban charging for the use of cash machines.

He took the action after he LINK network announced it was reducing the funding for cash machines last year.

Mr Killen said that unless a funding solution is found for the machines then people in the poorest communities will lose out.

Research by consumer group Which? UK has found that over three quarters (78%) of consumers in the two lowest household income groups rely on cash, using it two to three times a week, while four-fifths (80 %) of retirees use it frequently, according to a survey of over 2,000 people.

He said: “When LINK announced their plans to reduce the funding for free to use ATMs they gave assurances that low income families, the elderly and rural communities would be protected.

“Nearly a year after the first cuts to ATM funding LINK have categorically failed to live up to their obligations. Their failure risks costing those who rely on cash dearly.

“I’ve introduced a bill in parliament to ban ATM charges and protect access to cash.

“I’m urging the Government to support my bill, without Parliament taking action we will sleep walk into a situation where the most vulnerable will be forced to pay for an uneven transition to a cashless society.”

The MP is backed in his fight by the Scottish inventor of the cash machine, James Goodfellow who said banks had a “moral obligation to protect free to use ATMs”.