Jenny Willott, the Liberal Democrat MP for Cardiff Central, has welcomed an announcement by the Payments Council Board that it is scraping plans to phase out the use of cheques by 2018.
The decision comes after months of lobbying by MPs and members of the public to reverse proposals to end the use of cheques.
Today’s decision will mean that cheques will remain available for use for as long as people are using them.
Commenting, Jenny said:
“I am delighted that these plans have been scrapped. It was clear from the start that this was a wrongheaded decision and I’m pleased the Payments Council Board have now accepted the view of the vast majority of MPs and members of the public.
“Cheques are incredibly important and are still widely used, particularly by older people, and particularly by charities. I believe it would be wrong to get rid of a system that so many people rely on, and I told this to the Payments Council.
“Many people feel uncomfortable using internet transfers and it is right that we continue to allow people to use cheques to pay their bills and donate to good causes.”
