AN MP has slammed Nationwide building society for closing its inner London branches in a House of Commons debate.

MP for Greenwich and Woolwich, Nick Raynsford, led a debate last week about the closure of 10 nationwide branches.

Branches in Blackheath, Catford, Greenwich, Lewisham and Woolwich will be closing on May 27 along with those in Peckham, Burnt Oak, Hendon and Kentish Town.

Speaking at the debate Mr Raynsford said: “All seven existing branches inside the south circular road in south-east London are set to close, while those outside are to stay open.

“That is quite simply a crude and discriminatory exercise in which the leafy suburbs are favoured while inner London is punished. “

MP for Lewisham East, Heidi Alexander, and MP for Lewisham and Deptford, Joan Ruddock also both spoke in support of Mr Raynsford.

Nationwide says the branches are economically unsustainable.