Select Committee · Treasury Committee

Acceptance of Cash

Status: Closed Opened: 4 Nov 2024 Closed: 13 Oct 2025 2 recommendations 12 conclusions 1 report

The Committee is inquiring into whether there is a need in the UK to regulate or mandate the acceptance of physical cash in the form of notes and coins. The inquiry will consider any need for legislation and/or regulation, and potential costs to consumers and businesses. Read the call for evidence to find out more …

Clear

Reports

1 report
Title HC No. Published Items Response
6th Report - Acceptance of cash HC 324 30 Apr 2025 14 Responded

Recommendations & Conclusions

5 items
112 Conclusion 6th Report - Acceptance of cash Deferred

Provide an interim assessment of cash access regime effectiveness, including business acceptance

HM Treasury, the Financial Conduct Authority and the Bank of England must provide an interim assessment of the effectiveness of the access to cash regime as soon as is practical. This must include an assessment of whether the regime has affected the willingness of businesses to accept cash. (Recommendation)

Government response. The government's response discusses the ongoing work and consolidation of the Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) into other regulators, including a commitment to consult on the transfer of responsibilities and legislate as soon as possible, rather than addressing the call for …
HM Treasury
114 Conclusion 6th Report - Acceptance of cash Deferred

Businesses face unclear payment costs due to lack of competition in processing market

We are disappointed that there is not more clarity on the costs of different payment types, and that businesses are continuing to bear the costs of a lack of competition in the payments processing market. (Conclusion)

Government response. The government's response focuses on the operational resilience of the UK's financial system, detailing how it works with regulators and industry to improve resilience against threats and ensure financial institutions are secure, rather than addressing the committee's disappointment regarding payment …
HM Treasury
115 Conclusion 6th Report - Acceptance of cash Deferred

Ensure Payment Systems Regulator's competition work continues during and after consolidation

HM Treasury, the Bank of England and the Financial Conduct Authority must ensure that the work of the Payment Systems Regulator on competition in payments markets is taken forwards during and after the consolidation of the Payment Systems Regulator into other regulators. (Recommendation)

Government response. The government's response focuses on the issue of digital and financial exclusion, outlining ongoing work with various bodies and continuous data monitoring, but does not specifically address how the Payment Systems Regulator's work on competition will be carried forward during …
HM Treasury
116 Recommendation 6th Report - Acceptance of cash Deferred

Commit to transparent payment acceptance costs and commission independent cost model

HM Treasury must commit to ensuring that costs of accepting payments by payment method are transparent so that businesses of all sizes can make informed choices on payment methods. HM Treasury should commission work to produce a model of costs produced independently of payment providers. (Recommendation) 47

Government response. The government's response discusses the importance of financial inclusion and legal obligations under the Equality Act, explaining that businesses decide payment methods and the Act does not mandate cash acceptance, thereby deflecting from the recommendation to ensure transparency of payment …
HM Treasury
118 Conclusion 6th Report - Acceptance of cash Deferred

Consider physical cash value in emergency preparedness and severe payment system outages

In discharging its responsibility for national security and resilience, HM Treasury must consider the value of physical cash in emergency preparedness. This may include recommending that cash is held by individuals in case of emergency, and considering what role cash distribution might play in a severe payment systems outage. (Recommendation)

Government response. The government's response focuses on monitoring international approaches to cash access, usage, and policies to inform future decisions, rather than directly addressing how HM Treasury will consider the value of physical cash in emergency preparedness, individual cash holdings, or cash …
HM Treasury