Petition · past parliament
Require all retailers and businesses to accept cash for goods and services
Closed
373 signatures
What the petition asks
Many shops and stores are using the pandemic as a way of moving all payments contactless, yet vulnerable groups such as the elderly and disabled rely on using cash for their everyday purchases. If this is allowed to continue we will fast become a cashless society.
I would like the Government to protect the use of cash in society and safeguard the rights of consumers to use cash in shops and businesses.
The Bank of England has stated: "the risk posed by handling a banknote is no greater than touching any other common surface, such as handrails, doorknobs or credit cards."
According to UK Finance in 2019 cash payments continued to decline making 23% of all payments, totalling 2.1 million people.
The Bank of England has stated: "the risk posed by handling a banknote is no greater than touching any other common surface, such as handrails, doorknobs or credit cards."
According to UK Finance in 2019 cash payments continued to decline making 23% of all payments, totalling 2.1 million people.
Timeline
| 21 Jun 2021 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 21 Dec 2021 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
373
Status
Closed
Opened
21 Jun 2021
Closed
21 Dec 2021
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.