Cash Acceptance - A Fundamental Human Right

Thanks to Jon Ungoed-Thomas at the Observer for this excellent coverage of the issues - and to Kate Osborne MP for highlighting the impact on her constituents and many others.

When PM Keir Starmer is pulling together meetings with his fellow European leaders, as he needs to do frequently in these troubled times, he might reflect on the fact that so many of them have taken steps to compel businesses to accept cash.

Does Sir Keir REALLY believe that the British public deserve less fundamental rights than citizens of Belgium, Denmark, France, Netherlands, Norway and Spain - to name just a few of those countries which have taken legislative or constitutional action to put the needs and wishes of their voters ahead of the whims of misguided businesses?

Before the last election, YouGov surveyed Labour MPs for the Payment Choice Alliance. Over 70% agreed that a law was required to guarantee the British publics cash is accepted, when and where they want to use it.

There are now 412 Labour MPs in Parliament - and it’s time for their Government - and ours - to deliver what the British public need and want. A Payment Choice Act.

Source: theguardian.com/money/2025/mar/16/uk-high-street-chains-restaurants-cash-payments