Committee takes evidence on proposed end of cheques

• Video and Audio: The End of Cheques? evidence session
• Treasury Committee

Witnesses

9.45 am

• Teresa Perchard, Policy Director, Citizens Advice Bureau
• Linda Weatherhead, Principal Policy Advocate, Consumer Focus
• Geoff Holland, Chief Executive, British Cheque and Credit Association
• Louise Richards, Director of Policy and Campaigns, Institute of Fundraising
• Jane Vass, Financial Services Policy Adviser, Age Concern and Help the Aged

10.45 am

• Paul Smee, Chief Executive, Payments Council
• Stephen Locke, Independent Director on the Board of the Payments Council
• Sandra Quinn, Director of Communications, Payments Council

In December 2009 the Board of the UK Payments Council announced that cheques will be phased out by October 2018, but only if alternatives are developed. The Council stated that it had decided to set the date for proposed abolition so far in advance in a bid to encourage the advance of other forms of payment.

The evidence session is expected to focus on:

• trends over time in the use of cheques as a payment mechanism, including estimates of likely usage over the next five to ten years
• the advantages and disadvantages of abolition, including the impact of abolition on particular groups in society
• the development of alternative payment mechanisms