It’s quite a challenge to exist in today’s world without a bank account, and access to banking services. Yet in so many areas, like ours, banks simply no longer exist.

In the last decade, nearly two-thirds of banks and building society branches have shut. Should the trend continue, the country could be left with just 2,700 branches by 2030. Banks like to argue that most people prefer to bank online, but in reality what choice do they have?

The rapid and ruthless shift towards online banking may suit those of us who work odd hours, travel around a lot, and find it difficult to pop into a high street branch. But at the same time, it is potentially disenfranchising millions of people from banking services.

This is particularly true for those living in rural areas, which have borne the brunt of branch closures. A staggering 86% of people in rural areas, whose closest bank branch in 2015 was within one mile, have seen it close.

And for them, there is no alternative bank to switch to. As banks have closed, the impact of losing access to banking services has been disproportionately felt by those in rural areas who cannot simply go to another bank in town.

Instead, they must navigate sporadic or non-existent public transport and set aside half a day for the outing, just to do their banking. Consumers and small businesses are left frustrated by the fragmented service they must grapple with, and those who aren't confident using online banking are left completely abandoned.

Sadly, this is a story we know well in South Devon, where we have just one bank left in an area of around 500 square miles. A year ago, we had two, and since Lloyds shut its Totnes branch in January, I have been campaigning to bring a banking hub in the town.

That campaign has included holding numerous meetings with LINK, the public body that decides if an area qualifies for a banking hub. I have also discussed the situation with the then Chief Secretary to the Treasury and last year, appealed to the then Prime Minister to act.

Last week, on parliament's first day back from summer recess, I continued my campaign by leading a debate on the provision of face-to-face banking services in rural areas.

It’s staggering how many MPs lament the access to face-to-face banking in their constituencies, despite the eye-watering profits being made by the big banks. I find it outrageous that banks have got away with shutting branches with impunity, turning their back on customers and businesses.

I am not expecting them to reopen their high street branches - times have changed. But given their unimaginably deep pockets, it is only right for banks

to fund a nationwide rollout of banking hubs, equipped with a full range of personal and business banking services.

I am committed to pushing the government every step of the way to protect – and restore - banking services in rural areas like ours.