Mr. Mark Fielding:

That is fine. Costs are increasing against a backdrop of branch closures, reduced branch services and under-trained staff. The attitude of bank management is "take it or leave it". At a time when small and medium-sized businesses are struggling to make ends meet, we cannot afford increases of the magnitude suggested. As I said, we are looking at increases of between 23% and 250%. I urge the committee to call on the Financial Regulator to rescind its decision to allow new bank charges to be introduced. The regulator should instruct the banks to revert to their previous rates. I accept that some of the rates were already in place and are, therefore, not up for discussion with the regulator. The banks have removed the lower rates and retained the top ones. That is the way they are working.