Payment and Services

The Access to Cash Review, announced earlier this year by LINK, has launched a call for evidence. The review will be independently Chaired by the former Head of the Financial Ombudsman Service, Natalie Ceeney CBE and sponsored by LINK. The Review will be supported by a panel of consumer of industry experts who will consider and examine the future needs of consumers across the UK and provide recommendations on how the UK should best respond to the challenges, and opportunities of consumers’ evolving relationship with cash and payments over the next 15 years

HM Treasury has published a consultation seeking views on the role of cash and digital payments in the new economy

The House of Commons Scottish Affairs Select Committee has launched an inquiry to examine the cash machine network in Scotland following an announcement by LINK to cut interchange fees.

The Department for  Digital, Culture, Media & Sport have launched a consultation on the specific design of a new broadband Universal Service Obligation, which will give household and business the right to request a broadband connection at a minimum speed of at least 10Mbps.

The British Banking Association underwent an independent review of the Access to Banking Protocol. The Access to Banking Protocol was established last year and committed to a year-on review of its implementation. The Protocol details how banks should ensure sufficient access to banking in local communities following the closure of branches.

The Committee is seeking evidence on the following points:

HMRC has opened a consultation on what the changes in the use of cash mean for tax compliance.

Opens: 25 November 2015
Closes: 27 January 2016

The original consultation can be viewed here: https://www.gov.uk/government/consultations/cash-tax-evasion-and-the-hidden-economy-call-for-evidence

The Interchange fee regulation consultation invites views on the government’s proposed steps to comply with the ‘Interchange Fee Regulation’ (IFR) that the European Union agreed to bring in across all EU countries earlier this year.

The 2011 EU Late Payment Directive was passed, and this consultation seeks how best to implement the changes to the law on how to provide business representative bodies with additional powers to challenge grossly unfair contractual terms and practices.

The consultation and ACS' response can be viewed via the links below.

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport have caledl for evidence exploring the current balance across society lotteries, The National Lottery and competing gambling products in raising funds for good causes and maintaining player protection.

The original consultation and ACS' submission can be viewed below.

In their submission, ACS highlights the role that lottery products play in convenience stores.