Saving the cheque is a victory for common sense (Andrew Simpson)

Saving the cheque is a victory for common sense

July 17, 2011 6:12 PM
By Andrew Simpson

Save the cheque Andrew Simpson, Lib Dem parliamenatry spokesperson for Northampton North constituency has welcomed the announcement by The UK Payments Council that they are to reverse their decision to scrap cheques by 2018 and continue their use for as long as customers need them.

Commenting, Andrew Simpson said:

"I want to say a huge thank you to all the local people who supported the Lib Dem campaign to save the cheque.

"Being able to pay by cheque is especially important for our small businesses, community groups and older people here in Northampton."

Cheques remain a popular way to pay for millions of people across the UK. Over a billion transactions were made by cheque last year alone.

The campaign to save the cheque was led by Lib Dem MPs and was backed by thousands of people across the UK.

Andrew Simpson added, "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."

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?