Ulster Unionist MLA Michael Copeland has raised concerns regarding the level of hardship caused by the on-going crisis at Ulster Bank which has inconvenienced tens of thousands of customers who have been unable to access funds in their accounts, including 27,000 Social Security Agency customers.
The East Belfast MLA, who is also his Party’s Social Development spokesperson, said:
“Many thousands of Ulster Bank customers have been seriously inconvenienced by the on-going situation.
The delay in restoring normal service is simply intolerable and I have been approached by a number of people who are experiencing serious hardship as a result of the non-payment of benefits and training allowances.
Those in the middle and upper reaches of society can only imagine the terror in this electronic age, of not having access to sufficient money to meet basic daily needs, including food and transport.
I am deeply concerned that some solutions put in place and recommended by Government departments are susceptible to fraud.
Ulster Bank is one of a raft of institutions seen as being under the control of Government.
The corporate response from those in possession of other people’s money, has not on this occasion been adequate or good.”
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