Saving the cheque is a victory for common sense - Foster

The UK Payments Council has announced that they are to reverse their decision to scrap cheques by 2018 and continue their use for as long as customers need them.

Commenting, Don Foster said:

“Today’s announcement means that those who rely on cheque payments can now be sure of their future. I passed on a number of concerns from Bath residents to the Minister on this issue, so I am absolutely delighted that this decision has been reversed.

“For small businesses and sole traders cheques are a crucial form of payment and many were concerned that their removal would drive up their costs. For customers, especially the elderly, cheques are reliable, safe and not too technological.

“Last year alone there were over one billion cheque transactions which shows just how widely used this form of payment still is.

Commenting further, Liberal Democrat MP for Cheadle, Mark Hunter, who originally launched the ‘Save the Cheque’ campaign through an Early Day Motion in Parliament in November 2009 said:

“This is a great victory for people power and common sense, and proves that the banks cannot afford to ignore the views of their customers.

“After years campaigning along side small businesses, charities and voluntary groups, who will welcome this with open arms, I am absolutely delighted by this news.”

ENDS

Notes to Editors:

1. The original EDM 258 ‘Save the Cheque’ tabled in November 2009 is below:

That this House notes with concern that high street banks are planning to stop accepting cheques despite protest from consumer groups and businesses; further notes that nearly four million cheques are still being written each day and that many people still prefer to pay for goods and services in this way; is concerned that the Payments Council which represents the major banks will vote in December 2009 on whether or not to scrap the cheque as a method of payment; believes many people, particularly the elderly, would be inconvenienced as a result; calls upon the Government to remind the banks that they exist to serve customers and not the other way round; and urges the banks to reconsider their proposals to abolish the cheque.

2. Supporters of the campaign included the Federation of Small Businesses and Which?