Debates between Andrew Griffith and Paul Maynard during the 2019 Parliament

Cash Acceptance

Debate between Andrew Griffith and Paul Maynard
Monday 20th March 2023

(1 year, 1 month ago)

Westminster Hall
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Andrew Griffith Portrait Andrew Griffith
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The hon. Lady makes an important point, although perhaps not the one she intended, about some of the challenges of cash in a rural location.

Paul Maynard Portrait Paul Maynard
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Will the Minister give way?

Andrew Griffith Portrait Andrew Griffith
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I will because my hon. Friend made some strong points earlier.

Paul Maynard Portrait Paul Maynard
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Does the Minister think it is important to recognise that cashback without purchase is a voluntary decision by the retailer? Retailers are not obliged to embark upon it if they do not wish to; it is a commercial enterprise.

Andrew Griffith Portrait Andrew Griffith
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My hon. Friend is absolutely right. That is one of the principles in how we have approached the issue. Although we are taking powers in the Financial Services and Markets Bill to mandate access to cash and cash machines, we must remember that 95% of the population are within 2 km of a free cash machine.