AQW 35404/22-27

Ms Kate Nicholl
Alliance Party
South Belfast

Tabled Date: 13/11/2025
Answered On Date: 10/12/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Finance to detail any consideration that has been given to the introduction of legislation to protect consumers’ right to pay with cash.

Answer:

I raised this issue with the Financial Conduct Authority at my Banking Roundtable on 3 December, and they advised that it is not within their remit to enforce cash acceptance, nor are they aware of any plans at this time by the Treasury to extend their current access to cash powers, under the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023, to include a requirement for businesses and organisations to accept cash in regulations.

However, I do recognise that it is important that consumers, especially those most vulnerable in our society, have a choice of payment methods, including cash. I will be raising this with the Treasury when I share my summary report from the Banking Roundtable.