Mum left struggling amid bank crisis

Lyndsey Shaw said the situation was just “awful”, with people queuing out the doors of local Ulster Bank branches as they tried to get help and advice this week.

Lyndsey, explained: “I’m a single parent so I’m on benefits but they haven’t gone into my account and I haven’t been able to take anything out. They have told me that it could be Tuesday next week by the time it’s sorted.

“It’s just awful. I’ve got two small kids and I’m trying feed them,” she said.

“I can look at my previous transactions but there is nothing new. I receive child tax credit and child benefit and I was able to take some of that out eventually, but that’s gone already and anything that is not a regular payment into your account, you can’t take out. I know I have other payments in my account but I can’t touch them.”

Lyndsey added: “I have a nine-year-old and a two-year-old and I have had to borrow from friends and family. It was my son’s birthday on Saturday and I had to use his birthday money, which is just awful.

“My friend has also been affected. Her husband banks with RBS and is paid monthly, he is due to be paid on Friday, but who knows if he’ll get it.

“I’ve had to phone the people due to take direct debits to tell them they can’t get their money. The bank are paying overcharges but for how long?

“I live in Longstone so I use the branch there and the bank was overflowing, the queue was right out the door. We’re having to take ID to get money, they want proof to take our own money.”