Banks to install 600 'free' cash machines

The big banks have agreed to install a further 600 free-to-use cash machines in a victory for a campaign against the rise of charging.

The move should slash the number of so-called 'cash machine deserts' and guarantee millions of people free access to their money.

Charging machines - which typically impose fees of £1.50 - have replaced free outlets in many communities over the last five years.

A team led by John McFall MP, who chairs the House of Commons Treasury Select Committee, has persuaded the big banks to change the way the national network is run so there can be more free machines.

The 600 free ATMs will be installed in post offices, council buildings and community stores.

The commitment is a victory for Mr McFall, the Labour MP for West Dunbartonshire, and the Daily Mail, which has campaigned on the issue.

The campaign was instrumental in a decision by Royal Bank of Scotland-NatWest to offer 300 of the 600 new machines.

Mr McFall said: 'This is a huge step forward in the campaign for financial inclusion.

'The banks, building societies and cash machine operators deserve to be congratulated.'

The measures also require clear labelling on machines that do charge.