UK government urged to follow Ireland’s Access to Cash rules

The Access to Cash bill is focused on local convenience stores, supermarkets and pharmacies, with other types of shops and retailers being exempted.

Irish politicians said it will stop shoppers being “left behind”.

The new requirements were signed off by the cabinet on Tuesday and are expected to come into effect later this year.

Last year, prime minister Rishi Sunak ruled out similar legislation in the UK as he thought it would be inappropriate to “impose on individuals how they should do business”.

Martin Quinn, from campaign group The Payment Choice Alliance, believes the PM should reconsider that position following the decision in Ireland.

Speaking to Talking Retail, he said: “It’s encouraging to see the Irish government take concrete steps to not only protect access to cash, but pass a law to ensure cash acceptance within the retail grocery sector.”

“A Payment Choice Act law is badly needed here in the UK, especially after ASDA has announced that 83 superstore forecourts are going cashless”

“The British public deserve to spend their cash how and where they please.”

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