Petition · past parliament

Force the banks to freeze overdraft charges during the Coronavirus pandemic

Rejected 21 signatures

What the petition asks

I would like the Government to force banks to freeze overdraft charges during the period of the Coronavirus pandemic which is causing a financial crash.
The Corona virus is hitting the public hard, both health wise and financially. It is affecting families, the old, students, people on low wages and zero hour contracts, people on benefits and people who have been made jobless due to the Coronavirus.
These are the people most likely to be using their overdrafts. Freezing overdraft charges would drastically improve their financial situation while food supplies are low and worries of paying bills, rent etc. are at an all time high.

Why it was rejected

There was already a petition about this issue. Duplicates are rejected so signatures collect in one place.

You may wish to sign this petition calling for the same action.

Encourage lenders to suspend interest, fees and repayments during COVID-19: Encourage lenders to suspend interest, fees and repayments during COVID-19

Since starting this petition, many UK banks have announced measures to help people who are experiencing financial difficulties due to coronavirus. You should look at your bank's website or contact them directly to find out more.

You can read the Financial Conduct Authority's announcement on the temporary financial relief that banks can offer customers here: https://www.fca.org.uk/news/press-releases/fca-confirms-temporary-financial-relief-customers-impacted-coronavirus

You can find out more about coronavirus and how you can protect yourself and others here:

NHS website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/coronavirus-covid-19/
UK Government website: https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus

You can read NHS tips to help if you are worried about coronavirus here: https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/coronavirus-covid-19-anxiety-tips

You may also be interested to know that because of the large number of petitions that have been started in relation to coronavirus, the Petitions Committee has been questioning the Government about its response to the coronavirus outbreak.

Find out more and watch the Committee put questions suggested by petitioners to Government Ministers and the Deputy Chief Medical Officer: https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/326/petitions-committee/news/145767/committee-question-deputy-chief-medical-officer-and-ministers-on-coronavirus-response/

Read correspondence with Government Ministers asking further questions: https://committees.parliament.uk/committee/326/petitions-committee/publications/3/correspondence/

Timeline

19 Mar 2020 Petition opened for signatures
15 Apr 2020 Rejected by the Petitions Committee

Key facts

Signatures 21
Status Rejected
Rejected 15 Apr 2020

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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.