Banks exposed for discrimination against shooting
Conor O'Gorman
An exposé in Friday’s Telegraph shone a light on longstanding practices in the banking sector, showing their appalling treatment of shooting businesses, clubs and syndicates, with account closures and new account applications refused. Conor O’Gorman explains.
Banking probe
Over the years BASC has supported many shoots and businesses with complaints against unfair banking practices, including sudden unexplained account closures and refusals for new applications, difficulties with online payments, the use of card machines and applying for credit.
Public recognition of this discrimination has been a long time coming, the catalyst being the furore around politicians and their families facing similar difficulties to those faced in the shooting sector.
Amid calls for a banking probe, BASC wrote to the Economic Secretary to the Treasury highlighting the issues faced by shoots and the trade.
We provided evidence of a sector-wide issue and called for the disproportionate treatment of shooting businesses and the gun trade to feature in any review into ‘de-banking’.
Political support for shooting
BASC’s evidence was highlighted in the Telegraph with supportive comments from MPs.
Andrew Griffith MP, economic secretary to the Treasury, told The Telegraph: “Parliament has decided that country sports remain a lawful activity. Representing a rural constituency, I know that they can make a significant contribution to local economies and maintaining the countryside.
“The Government has made clear that customers must be given clear and transparent reasons for closing an account or service as well as increasing the notice period. Banks must not ‘hide’ behind financial regulations.”
There were also supportive comments from Sir Robert Goodwill, chair of the environment committee, Sir Jacob Rees-Mogg, a former business secretary, and Dame Priti Patel, former home secretary.
An end to discrimination?
Hopefully, we will soon see an end to discrimination against the shooting community by the banking sector and BASC will continue its efforts to make this happen.
Recent or live case studies will help our cause’. As such, if your shoot or business has experienced difficulties with banking services and you have been informed – either verbally or in writing – that this is because of an association with shooting, please email conor.ogorman@basc.org.uk.
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