Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what discussions her Department has had with J D Wetherspoon on their policy on accepting Scottish banknotes in their premises in England.

There is no legal requirement for businesses to accept specific forms of payment. Each business decides which payment methods to accept based on factors including cost and customer needs and preferences. The Government has no plans to compel businesses to accept any particular form of payment. That said, in recognition that millions of people continue to use cash, the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 introduced safeguards to protect the public's access to cash.

The UK is unusual in allowing several commercial banks to issue their own banknotes. As well as Bank of England issued notes, authorised banks in Scotland and Northern Ireland issue banknotes in those jurisdictions. However, it remains the individual retailer’s choice whether to accept or decline any form of payment, including cash or card, based on their consideration of factors such as customer preference and cost.

Treasury Ministers meet with a wide variety of organisations in the public and private sectors as part of the regular business of government. Details of ministerial meetings with external organisations on departmental business are published on a quarterly basis and are available at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/hmt-ministers-meetings-hospitality-gifts-and-overseas-travel.