Saving the cheque is a victory for common sense – Burt (Birmingham Liberal Democrats)

Birmingham Liberal Democrats <info@birminghamlibdems.org.uk>

Saving the cheque is a victory for common sense – Burt

July 15, 2011 3:40 PM
Originally published by Lorely Burt MP

Solihull MP Lorely Burt has welcomed the news that her long running campaign to Save the Cheque has been successful.

"I am absolutely delighted that the Payments Council have finally seen sense over cheques," said Lorely Burt MP.

The UK Payments Council announced on Tuesday that they are to reverse their decision to scrap cheques by 2018 and continue their use for as long as customers need them.

Commenting, Lorely Burt said:

"I am absolutely delighted that the Payments Council have finally seen sense over cheques. This announcement has relieved the worries of charities and small businesses that their livelihoods will not be threatened and of millions of ordinary people who rely on the cheque to make payments every day.

"It's a victory for common sense and for customers and a lesson that the banks cannot simply ride roughshod over their customer service responsibilities."

Lorely Burt MP, who presented a petition to Downing Street alongside Solihull residents recently, added:

"For small businesses and sole traders cheques are a crucial form of payment and many were concerned that their removal would drive up their costs. For customers, especially the elderly, cheques are reliable, safe and not too technological.

"Last year alone there were over one billion cheque transactions which shows just how widely used this form of payment still is.

"Today's announcement means that those who rely on cheque payments can now be sure of their future."