Cash Acceptance
Debate between Martyn Day and Hannah Bardell(1 year, 1 month ago)
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Hannah Bardell (in the Chair)
Before we begin, I want to put on the record that we are delighted to see so many members of the public in the Public Gallery for this important debate. I ask that everybody’s phones are turned off and that we keep noise to a minimum to allow Members to enjoy the flow of debate and for those watching at home.
Martyn Day (Linlithgow and East Falkirk) (SNP)
I beg to move,
That this House has considered e-petitions 605030 and 622284, relating to the acceptance of cash.
It is genuinely a pleasure to serve under your chairmanship, Ms Bardell. The petitions before us attracted more than 58,500 signatures between them, having closed on 5 July 2022 and 10 March this year respectively. I thank the creators and signatories of the two petitions. Their actions have meant we are here today to debate an issue that is clearly of interest and concern to many people across the UK.
The petitioners call on the Government to:
“Make it illegal for retailers and services to decline cash payments”,
and to:
“Require all businesses and public services to accept cash payments”,
with the exception of internet-based businesses. They argue:
“Not everyone wants a digital trail and others simply cannot pay by card.”
The petitioners expressed concern about cashless payments creating an “enforced dependency on banks” and a
“threat to privacy as people cannot make anonymous payments.”
They stated:
“If we wish to uphold freedom of choice and the right to privacy, it is imperative that we protect the use of cash.”