THE constituency's MP headed a debate addressing the decline in high street banking this week.

Hexham MP Joe Morris said: "This week marks the reconvening of Parliament after the summer recess. When Parliament sits, I split my time between Westminster and the constituency, with the first half of my week this week spent preparing to lead two separate debates with great relevance to our area.

"On Monday (September 2) I headed up a debate addressing the decline in high-street banking provisions and the effect this has had on rural areas. This is an issue that was brought up consistently throughout the General Election campaign with towns like Haltwhistle being left with no banking provisions.

"Both during the parliamentary recess and during the General Election campaign, I had the pleasure of speaking to constituents about the real hardships that bank closures are causing.

"I have heard of elderly constituents having to travel long distances to access in-person banking support and small business owners facing a loss in profits during the time it takes to travel to banks in larger towns. As well as those in our rural areas facing digital exclusion due to poor broadband and telephone signal making it difficult for them to reliably access online banking.

"For our rural communities, elderly, and small business owners, bank closures are a serious barrier, both to financial inclusion but also to financial autonomy

"Throughout the general election campaign, I pledged to speak up for our farmers, who are the backbone of our rural economy. This Wednesday (September 4) I led a debate on the future of sheep farming, highlighting the pressures our farmers face, from rising costs to concerns over post-Brexit trade policy. I remain in constant dialogue with local farmers whose livelihood is affected by these concerns and hope to ensure their voices are heard in Parliament.

"In the constituency, I have met with local farmers who are facing these very issues. They have shared their experiences grappling with rising costs and their concerns for the future of livestock farming. I will continue to champion agriculture and our rural economy in Parliament, ensuring we achieve the necessary reforms to secure the sustained future of farming in our constituency.

"I am incredibly grateful to everyone I have spoken to and those of you who reached out to me to share your experiences. These two debates and your stories that helped shape them are a crucial part of the fight to ensure our communities are not left behind.

"As Parliament gets back into full swing I want to reiterate to readers my commitment to our constituency. Whether it be through advocating for our farmers at a national level or ensuring constituent access to vital services, I am dedicated to delivering for our communities.

"I will be announcing my next constituency surgery dates in the near future,and I would also like to thank constituents for their patience over the summer as I have been working towards setting up an office and a team in the constituency to deliver for you.

"We have received thousands of emails and are working hard to get replies out to each and every one of you. The input of constituents is crucial in making sure I represent our constituency effectively in Parliament, so please don’t hesitate to reach out if there’s an issue you’d like to discuss. Currently, my team and I are prioritising urgent casework but rest assured every message is gratefully received."