Link, the UK ATM machine network operator, has held its first meeting of a new standing committee on consumer issues which was created to represent consumer interests to the board.
The committee includes Baroness Gibson of Market Rasen, representatives from the National Consumer Council and members of the Link ATM scheme. Cash machines in the UK have come under fire from consumer groups recently over charges and access to machines, and the committee is part of the response to the criticism.
Ken Andrew, the independent chairman of the committee said: I am delighted to have been able to chair the first meeting of the committee. The committee has a vital role to play in shaping the Link scheme’s work to address important consumer issues such as access to free cash machines, and ensuring transparency of charges in cases where access to cash can only be achieved through charging machines.
The committee will hold Link to account for its performance against the objectives of transparency of charges and financial inclusion. The committee will also have the right to publish an independent report each year.