MP JOINS CAMPAIGN TO SAVE THE CHEQUE (Southampton Liberal Democrats)

Southampton Liberal Democrats <info@southampton-libdems.org.uk>

MP JOINS CAMPAIGN TO SAVE THE CHEQUE

December 15, 2009 12:00 PM
Originally published by Sandra Gidley

Sandra Gidley MP Local Liberal Democrat MP, Sandra Gidley has backed a cross-party Westminster motion to 'save the cheque' amidst growing concerns that high street banks are planning to stop the use of cheques. Over fifty MPs have already signed the motion, including that of Liberal Democrat Shadow Chancellor Vince Cable.

Commenting from Westminster today, Sandra said:

"Abolishing the cheque will cause great inconvenience to many people who rely on cheques as a means of payment - particularly many elderly people.

"This development is most unwelcome in its own right but taken together with the news on bank charges I think they amount to nothing less than an insult to the British public. "

Leading consumer group 'Which?' has also given its officially backing to the "save the cheque" campaign.

The campaign is designed to put pressure on bankers to think again before abolishing the cheque in a vote on 16th December. If the decision is made to abolish the cheque, many of the nation's most vulnerable people will face great inconvenience. The cheque has been around for over 2,000 years, but bankers plan to abolish it to save money.

A spokesperson for 'Which?' added:

"'Which?' opposes setting an end-date for phasing out cheques until there are cheap and safe alternatives in place for people who rely on them.

"Prematurely getting rid of cheques will make life very difficult for many of the most vulnerable, including the elderly, the house-bound and those who don't have access to the internet."

Readers can sign a 'Save the cheque' petition by visiting the Prime Minister's No 10 website at: http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/SaveCheque/sign

ENDS