Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the prevalence of businesses refusing cash payments; and what steps they will take to ensure that cash continues to be accepted by businesses.

The government does not collect data on the types of payments that are accepted by businesses. Nonetheless, the government recognises that many people continue to transact in cash across the UK and has legislated through the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 to establish a new legislative framework to protect access to cash.

The government considers that this legislation will support organisations, including local businesses, to continue accepting cash by ensuring that they have reasonable access to cash deposit facilities.