November 10, 2023 - 1592 views
HSBC’s decision to axe its Welsh language phone service is an “enormous blow” to residents, according to the second Senedd member who has come out to question to decision of the company.
Llyr Gruffydd, who represents North Wales in the Senedd, is calling on the banking giant to reverse its decision, which he says “adds insult to injury” to his constituents. Yesterday, Clwyd West MS Darren Millar came out with his criticism of the move.
Politicians were informed of the bank's decision to axe its Welsh language service by letter on Wednesday morning, November 8.
This follows the closure of HSBC high street branches in Denbigh, Holyhead, Llanrwst, Colwyn Bay, Holywell, Menai Bridge, Amlwch, Beaumaris, Barmouth, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Tywyn, Betws-y-Coed, Llanberis, Abergele, Cerrigydrudion, Harlech, Caergwrle, Flint, Ewloe, Chirk, and Ruabon in recent years.
In response to the decision by HSBC to abolish the Welsh language telephone service, Plaid Cymru submitted an urgent question to the Welsh Government in the Senedd.
The party also urgently contacted the Welsh Language Commissioner, and requested an urgent meeting with the corporation in Westminster.
Llyr Gruffydd MS said: “HSBC's decision to axe their Welsh language telephone service is an enormous blow and a huge disappointment to residents in North Wales.
“It is yet another example of the bank hanging our communities in Wales out to dry and adds insult to injury to constituents who have already seen their high street branches close.
“The list of HSBC branches closed in North Wales in recent years is a long one.
“It includes Denbigh, Holyhead, Llanrwst, Colwyn Bay, Holywell, Menai Bridge, Amlwch, Beaumaris, Barmouth, Blaenau Ffestiniog, Tywyn, Betws-y-Coed, Llanberis, Abergele, Cerrigydrudion, Harlech, Caergwrle, Flint, Ewloe, Chirk, and Ruabon.
“Following the company’s decision to close down a number of its branches in North Wales, the telephone service, for many of their customers, is a more vital resource than ever. It should reverse this harmful decision without delay.
“It should be remembered that many customers use HSBC because of its Welsh language phone service, and it is without question true to say that the bank has not done enough to promote it.
“This is a big blow to their customers in Wales especially their older customers, and those who don't have access to digital technology. The bank's pledge to 'arrange a call back in Welsh, within 3 working days' is astonishingly disrespectful to Welsh speakers. It is also insensitive to the financial pressures some people will face.
“For a significant number of people, accessing their bank through Welsh is not a 'choice'. HSBC say they 'have confirmed that all customers can bank in English.' This is not true. HSBC now needs to reverse this decision, and move towards promoting Welsh-medium services.”
