The Consumer Council Newsroom

Alternatives To Cheques Must Be Acceptable To Consumers, Says Consumer Council

Wednesday 16 December 2009

Julie McCurley, head of money affairs at the Consumer Council said, “The Consumer Council has received assurances from the Payments Council that the cheque clearing system will only be closed down if there is evidence that consumers in Northern Ireland are able and willing to use alternatives to cheques.

“Consumer Council research shows that eight per cent of consumers here prefer to pay their household bills by cheque and that those aged over 65 are more likely to prefer cheques[1].  Consumers use cheques because they provide a paper trail, they help consumers control their budget and bill payments, and they are the convenient and safer option in many instances, including sending money in the post, into school with children and to charities.  However, we recognise many retailers now refuse to accept cheques and our research also shows that 59 per cent of 16 – 24 year old consumers don’t have a cheque book[2].

“The Payments Council is setting a significant challenge for banks and other providers to find suitable and appropriate alternatives to cheques soon that are acceptable to all consumers, well before 2018.

1. Consumer Council media contact: Keelin Kelly, telephone, 028 9067 4807 or e-mail, kkelly@consumercouncil.org.uk. 
2. The Consumer Council is an independent consumer organisation, working to bring about change to benefit Northern Ireland’s consumers. The Council campaigns for high standards of service and protection and a fair deal for all. It also carries out research, gives advice and publishes reports and other publications. It deals with individual complaints about buses, trains, planes, ferries, natural gas, electricity, coal and water.
3. For more information, visit our website at www.consumercouncil.org.uk