Tue, 28 Jan 2025

Shops and firms will not be forced to accept cash

Coffee shops, trains and leisure centres have been accused of excluding people by no longer accepting cash.

* Economic Secretary Emma Reynolds stated that there are no plans to regulate businesses to accept cash, even though millions of people rely on it.
* Reynolds said the government is focusing on ensuring everyone has access to cash through new banking hubs and improving digital skills.
* The UK is not planning to become a cashless society, with convenience stores expected to continue accepting notes and coins for years.
* Members of Parliament pointed out that victims of domestic and economic abuse rely on cash as an escape route, but Reynolds did not commit to making changes in this area.
* A recent survey by the British Retail Consortium found that 20% of shop transactions were made with cash last year, a rise from previous years.
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