Cash gives you freedom… but it’s getting harder and harder to spend it, says Martin Quinn

Cash gives you freedom… but it’s getting harder and harder to spend it, says Martin Quinn

Small business owner explains why she prefers people to use cash

GB NEWS
Martin Quinn

By Martin Quinn


Published: 11/02/2024

- 05:29

Payment Choice Alliance's Martin Quinn asks if 2024 will be the year that cash dies out, in an exclusive op-ed for GBN Members

It’s getting harder and harder to spend your hard-earned cash.

Recently Asda petrol station forecourts have gone cashless, many car parks are cashless, and more and more shops and national coffee chains have put up sign little signs in the window stating they're "card only".


What can be done about it? Well, firstly demand to use your notes and coins.

If you are refused, vote with your feet, simply boycott, and take your business elsewhere.

Do you have a money story you'd like to share? Get in touch by emailing money@gbnews.uk.

Martin Quinn speaks to GB News and public toilets stating 'no cash accepted'

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GB NEWS

Equally as important as cash acceptance is cash access.

Up and down the country, banks are closing at an alarming rate, along with ATMs, and both consumers and small businesses need access to cash services.

Why is cash important, I hear you ask.

Well, the biggest reason for cash is that it allows you the freedom to spend it when and where you please.

The banks and card providers cannot track your transactions and cash usage allows you to be anonymous, tipping the hairdresser or the gardener with ease.

We also don’t want our transactional data up for sale by the big banks and card providers.

Using cash helps money to be recycled and remain in the local economy.

With a general election potentially coming up in the autumn we would urge Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to give the British public what they deserve which is a UK Payment Choice Act.

Person using ATM to withdraw cash

Equally as important as cash acceptance is cash access, writes Martin Quinn

GETTY

It would not cost him anything, but it would be extremely popular amongst Conservative voters up and down the country and with such a populist policy might even tip the election in his favour.

So come on Mr Sunak, follow the Irish Government’s lead and give the people choice, payment choice in 2024!

Martin Quinn is the Campaign Director at the Payment Choice Alliance.

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