Written evidence submitted by Mr S R Jones
Press reports say that you are holding an inquiry
into the proposal to abolish the cheque payments system in the
UK by 2018. I am not clear whether you will accept submissions
from ordinary people but in case you will here is mine.
The UK Payments Council, which by its nature
is driven by the UK Banking Industry, has decided that cheques
re to go by 2018 because they say, use of cheques is in terminal
decline. The banks that I deal with tell me that, at present,
there is no workable alternative to the cheque but that there
will be by 2018.
An obvious difficulty would seem to be how will
a private individual transfer money to another? At present the
cheque is an easy and simple way of doing it. I can fill out the
cheque at home, put it in an envelope and post it—what could
be more straightforward?
I am the Treasurer of a small group of maritime
enthusiasts. Our helpers, friends and members all pay their dues
and demands by cheque. If there cannot be an equally simple, non
electronic system, then I guess we will fold up.
It seems to me that the banks have decided that
cheques are too much of a bother. They will devise another way
which will almost certainly be electronically based and those
who cannot access it will be of no concern to the banking industry.
Further I would say, that many small businesses
and countless large and small charities will suffer if this scheme
goes ahead. That cannot be a fair or reasonable outcome in our
democracy, just because the bankers have so decided.
I do hope that your committee will be able to
ensure that the simple, easy and very convenient cheque system
continues so that those of us who use it may continue to do so.
March 2010
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