A report by the UK Treasury Committee has raised concerns about the decreasing acceptance of cash payments in shops and services, warning that vulnerable groups—including the elderly and people with learning difficulties—may be excluded if the trend continues.
Although the report stops short of recommending a legal requirement for cash acceptance, it calls for better government monitoring. Some countries are already planning mandatory cash acceptance in certain sectors.
The committee highlighted that a shift to card-only payments creates a "poverty premium," making life more expensive for those who rely on cash for budgeting or anonymity, including victims of domestic abuse.
Small traders like market stallholders still value cash, but most shoppers now pay by card or phone. Campaigners have urged quicker action, but the government has not yet made cash acceptance mandatory.
📢Reading Comprehension Questions & Answers
1. Why might shops be forced to accept cash in the future?
2. What countries are mentioned as planning to require cash acceptance in some cases?
3. What concerns were raised about victims of domestic abuse in relation to cash?
4. What changes have market stallholders seen in customer payment habits?
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Shops and services may have to be forced to accept cash in the future to help protect vulnerable people who rely on it, MPs have said.
A Treasury Committee report into cash acceptance stopped short of recommending a change in the law, but said the government had to improve its monitoring of the issue.
"There may come a time in the future where it becomes necessary for HM Treasury to mandate cash acceptance if appropriate safeguards have not been implemented for those who need physical cash," the report said.
Some countries, such as Australia or parts of the EU, are planning requirements to accept cash for essential services in some circumstances.
A government minister said there were no plans to make cash acceptance mandatory.
Shops and services can currently accept whichever form of payment they want.
With an increasing number going card-only, the committee said prices would rise for essential goods and services in the remaining outlets that accepted cash.
That would create a poverty premium for those who wanted to use cash to budget, as well as for vulnerable groups such as people with learning difficulties and the elderly.
She said the report should be a "wake-up call" about the risks of ignoring those affected by the falling use of banknotes and coins.
The committee called on the government to "vastly improve" monitoring and reporting of cash acceptance levels.
Otherwise it warned it risked people being excluded from leisure centres, theatres or public transport. It also heard evidence about frustrated motorists unable to pay by cash in car parks.
There was particular concern for victims of domestic and economic abuse who need cash to avoid being traced through card transactions or to gain financial independence from abusive partners.
'Cash or card, madam?'
Tom Cresswell stands at The Fruit Machine fruit and veg stall with punnets of strawberries in front of him, and a sign saying they are priced at £4 a box.
Among this latest report's findings is a conclusion that for some businesses, such as market stallholders, cash remains fundamental to the preservation of their trade.
There has been a market in Epsom, Surrey, for centuries - but it is only in recent years that traders have seen the majority of shoppers switch to electronic payments.
Chris Ilsley stands at his plant stall at Epsom market with cut flowers ready to sell behind him.
Chris Ilsley has been running his plant stall - CI Plants - on the market for 13 years.
When he started it was 100% cash, now it is 70% to 80% card payments.
Speaking surrounded by geraniums, he said he was happy to take any form of payment, although card was slightly easier albeit slower to process.
"We'll take anything," the 47-year-old said. "I prefer the older generation to use card and put their purse away [for safety]."
Over at The Fruit Machine greengrocer stall, Tom Cresswell also has a long line of customers, and he said most paid by card.
"The youngsters don't ever pay by cash; they pay with their phones and their watches," the 52-year-old said.
"The older gentlemen tend to use cash. Whatever is easier for the customer."
📢Reading Comprehension Questions & Answers
1. Why might shops be forced to accept cash in the future?
2. What countries are mentioned as planning to require cash acceptance in some cases?
3. What concerns were raised about victims of domestic abuse in relation to cash?
4. What changes have market stallholders seen in customer payment habits?
👉點我看全文👈
Shops and services may have to be forced to accept cash in the future to help protect vulnerable people who rely on it, MPs have said.
A Treasury Committee report into cash acceptance stopped short of recommending a change in the law, but said the government had to improve its monitoring of the issue.
"There may come a time in the future where it becomes necessary for HM Treasury to mandate cash acceptance if appropriate safeguards have not been implemented for those who need physical cash," the report said.
Some countries, such as Australia or parts of the EU, are planning requirements to accept cash for essential services in some circumstances.
A government minister said there were no plans to make cash acceptance mandatory.
Shops and services can currently accept whichever form of payment they want.
With an increasing number going card-only, the committee said prices would rise for essential goods and services in the remaining outlets that accepted cash.
That would create a poverty premium for those who wanted to use cash to budget, as well as for vulnerable groups such as people with learning difficulties and the elderly.
She said the report should be a "wake-up call" about the risks of ignoring those affected by the falling use of banknotes and coins.
The committee called on the government to "vastly improve" monitoring and reporting of cash acceptance levels.
Otherwise it warned it risked people being excluded from leisure centres, theatres or public transport. It also heard evidence about frustrated motorists unable to pay by cash in car parks.
There was particular concern for victims of domestic and economic abuse who need cash to avoid being traced through card transactions or to gain financial independence from abusive partners.
'Cash or card, madam?'
Tom Cresswell stands at The Fruit Machine fruit and veg stall with punnets of strawberries in front of him, and a sign saying they are priced at £4 a box.
Among this latest report's findings is a conclusion that for some businesses, such as market stallholders, cash remains fundamental to the preservation of their trade.
There has been a market in Epsom, Surrey, for centuries - but it is only in recent years that traders have seen the majority of shoppers switch to electronic payments.
Chris Ilsley stands at his plant stall at Epsom market with cut flowers ready to sell behind him.
Chris Ilsley has been running his plant stall - CI Plants - on the market for 13 years.
When he started it was 100% cash, now it is 70% to 80% card payments.
Speaking surrounded by geraniums, he said he was happy to take any form of payment, although card was slightly easier albeit slower to process.
"We'll take anything," the 47-year-old said. "I prefer the older generation to use card and put their purse away [for safety]."
Over at The Fruit Machine greengrocer stall, Tom Cresswell also has a long line of customers, and he said most paid by card.
"The youngsters don't ever pay by cash; they pay with their phones and their watches," the 52-year-old said.
"The older gentlemen tend to use cash. Whatever is easier for the customer."