Santander has confirmed plans to close 44 bank branches throughout 2026 and early 2027 in a blow to Britain’s high streets, which will put 291 jobs at risk. The bank confirmed these closures were part of wider plans to transform ts branch network in response to changing customer behaviour, as more Britons opt for online banking services. It should be noted that closed branches will be replaced by Community Bankers, operating either from a Santander Local or, where applicable, a Banking Hub, to provide ongoing face-to-face support for communities. • Severn Trent water bills to increase by twice national averageBank branch closures have become the norm in recent years, with research from consumer champion Which? revealing that 6,000 locations were shut down between 2025 and 2024.