Payment Choice Alliance MP Drop In - 12th February
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GMB has longstanding policy in support of cash payments in the economy which is the foundation of our ‘Access to Cash’ campaign.
We support this for the following key reasons.
MEMBERS
GMB has thousands of members who work for multiple operators in the cash processing and delivery network across the UK.
They are decent jobs with good terms and conditions, where employers recognise and negotiate with GMB. Given the breadth of locations across the UK, communities benefit from these secure jobs, beyond just a London focus. More can always be done to improve pay and conditions, but there is a long history of union respect.
SECURITY
In an increasingly digital world, where there are foreign actors frequently seeking to attack the UK online, the cash network is central to national security. It is the fallback during the increasing system outages that we are witnessing, and is inherently the most secure form of payment for customers.
COMMUNITIES
Cash acceptance is also crucial for ensuring that marginalised members of the community are not further marginalised. Whether this is simply during an payment system outage where access to basic necessities is vital, or to others such as women seeking refuge from domestic violence to members of the community with learning challenges. All of these people rely on cash and the independence it provides.
In addition there is now even further evidence that in these times of strained finances, working people are increasingly turning to cash to help them budget and survive. This has been witnessed by the reports of increased cash usage over the past two years.
The impact that cash has on, and its integrity to working class communities cannot be underestimated, and we want to avoid creating a two-tier society where the increasing withdrawal of cash acceptance results in the exclusion of people from accessing services in their communities.
UK INCREASINGLY ISOLATED
The UK is isolated in its move away from cash.
All our neighbouring countries either already have measures, or have recently introduced them i.e. the Netherlands, to enshrine the acceptance of cash by businesses.