FINANCIAL SERVICES AND CHARGES

That this House notes that too many financial service providers charge a premium to the poorest members of the community; notes that these charges include illegal overdraft fines, charges for using cash machines, and the higher amount paid by customers who have electricity and gas meters; observes that these charges greatly impinge on poorer communities; recognises that these forms of charges are in fact worsening levels of poverty and debt and for many people amount to a life sentence of hardship; and calls on the Government to look into ways in which the poorest members of society can be protected from the premium on their poverty.