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David Ward MP <>
Banks shun cheque users
November 12, 2010 12:00 AM
David Ward MP has slammed the Payments Council's dismissive response to consumers' concerns over the abolition of cheques.
David this week met with the Payments Council to demand answers on their plans to abolish cheques.
Despite protests from consumers, small businesses and charities, the Payments Council remain determined to press ahead their plan to phase out all cheques by 2018.
David recently presented a Bill to Parliament, which would stop the Payments Council in its tracks by transferring responsibility for cheques to the City watchdog, the FSA. The Bill is due for debate next year.
Commenting, David Ward said:
"The Payments Council are brushing off the legitimate concerns of a huge number of cheque users. My office has been bombarded with letters of support, and hundreds of Bradford residents have joined the campaign in its first week.
"Setting a target date for the abolition of cheques will inevitably speed up the rate at which banks stop offering cheques and businesses stop accepting them. I have heard extremely worrying reports that some banks plan to withdraw cheques as early as next year.
"If the banks can bring out better alternatives to cheques then people will use them. There is no need for an end date.
"The Payments Council claim they are interested in transparency. They are so transparent you can see right through them. They are determined to save see cheques gone by 2018."