A BRADFORD MP has written to Barclays urging it to reverse its decision to end over-the-counter cash withdrawals from Post Offices from next year.

Bradford South MP Judith Cummins has written to the bank's chief executive officer, Jes Staley, to question the impact of the move.

The Labour MP said: "It’s scandalous that Barclays, a British bank, is the first bank to stop its customers being able to withdraw cash from Post Office branches, making it harder for people to access their own money. I have written to the chief executive to ask him to reverse this shameful decision."

In the letter, Mrs Cummins said the move would have a "negative impact" on many of her constituents, adding that she was "deeply disappointed" by the decision.

She said it was a "backwards step" that undermined the viability of the Post Officer as a bank of last resort.

Mrs Cummins urged Barclays to reconsider and, in the meantime, provide her with "detailed reasoning" for the decision.

Barclays has said previously that it wants to reduce customers’ reliance on post offices as it invested in free-to-use cash machines and cashback services at local businesses. In a statement to a national newspaper, it has said a new cashback scheme should make it easier for customers to withdraw money at businesses in remote towns and areas without a branch or ATM.

The bank has also pledged not to close branches in remote areas or where it was the “last bank in the town” until at least October 2021.