People in vulnerable situations are facing distress and humiliation as shops increasingly refuse to accept cash payments, a debate at the Senedd revealed. One vulnerable adult was left in tears after being unable to purchase a magazine with cash, leading to the intervention of the police. Labour MS Carolyn Thomas expressed concern that vulnerable individuals are being denied their basic rights by not being allowed to pay with cash, highlighting the impact on their financial independence and ability to socialize.
The Welsh Government’s response to calls for ensuring that vulnerable adults without bank cards can still pay in cash was described as “half-hearted, illogical and disappointing.” A petition signed by 2,500 people, submitted by Mencap Cymru, prompted the debate led by Ms. Thomas. She shared examples of people being unable to make purchases with cash, such as a young person unable to buy a rugby shirt and another individual unable to buy a coffee because the shops were cashless.
Ms. Thomas emphasized the importance of not creating new barriers that exclude people in the rush to adopt new technologies. She pointed out that nearly 40% of people still use cash weekly, indicating that the issue is far from resolved. Mencap Cymru suggested using the public sector equality duty to mandate organizations receiving public funds to accept cash payments.
Various Members of the Senedd raised concerns about the impact of businesses going cashless, including instances of individuals with learning disabilities becoming distressed when unable to make purchases. There were calls for businesses to clearly display their cash acceptance policies to avoid causing humiliation and distress to customers. The need for choice in payment methods was stressed, highlighting the importance of cash for budgeting and promoting careful spending.
The debate also highlighted the challenges faced by older people and individuals with disabilities in accessing digital payment methods. Criticisms were directed at ministers for their responses to the committee’s recommendations, with accusations of implementing changes without considering the impact on disabled individuals. The discussion concluded with calls for fairness, compassion, and the safeguarding of people’s needs amidst changing habits and technological advancements.
In response to the debate, the Welsh Government stated that it lacks the legal authority to enforce all public bodies receiving public funds to accept cash payments. However, there was a commitment from Wales’ social justice secretary, Jane Hutt, to engage with Mencap Cymru on the matter. The impact of cashless systems, including on accessibility to services like Transport for Wales, was acknowledged, with assurances that the issue would be addressed.
The discussion at the Senedd shed light on the challenges faced by vulnerable individuals in a society increasingly moving towards cashless transactions. The call for a balance between technological progress and inclusivity resonated throughout the debate, emphasizing the need to consider the diverse needs of all members of society to ensure no one is left behind in the digital age.