Disability charities urge government to protect cash | Global News Avenue

Leading disability charities are calling on the government to ensure that people continue to use physical cash in stores.

This is in government ministers said that despite concerns that millions of vulnerable groups rely on it, stores will not be forced to accept cash.

The UK’s Disabled Persons’ Rights (DRUK) and the Royal National Institute for the Blind (RNIB) warn that the default value creates “more obstacles” for people with disabilities to pay.

The BBC has heard from people with disabilities and their families that they fear that the opportunity to lose cash will limit their independence.

Reece Kinsman, 31, from Manchester, has Williams syndrome, a rare genetic disease This is characterized by neurodevelopmental disorders.

He relies on cash to manage his money as he struggles to track spending while using his card.

On a recent trip to Merseyside in New Brighton, Reece panicked and frustrated when a fast food restaurant told him they weren’t accepting cash.

“I’m really disappointed, I don’t know what to do. It’s just a card, it’s not easy because I only have cash,” he said.

Fortunately, his support staff was with him and took the expenses on her card.

Reece’s mom Ann -Marie said that dealing with physical currency has made Reece tangible about his finances, a tangible sense of control – which could threaten if cash is phased out.

“Rees’ level of understanding is about six years old. We gave him cash because he was out in the community and was able to learn how much it would take to pay for things.”

Last month, Treasury New Economy Secretary Emma Reynolds told Congressmen Stores and service providers do not need to accept cash. However, she assured the Finance Committee that the UK would not be completely cashless any time soon.

But more than 16 million disabled people in the UKmany rely on cash, charities Druk and RNIB urge the government to ensure continued access to cash and banking.

Druk’s policy director Fazilet Hadi said the government must “intervene and provide clear guidance”.

“The last legislation proposed by the government requires businesses to accept cash as an alternative, but that is not moving forward. Without this, new legislation is needed.”

Meanwhile, RNIB emphasizes the importance of offering “choose payment options”, including cash, adding “no solution for blind and partially witnessed consumers.”

Jack Hickinbotham, 29, of Hereford, suffers from autism, epilepsy and severe learning disabilities. He likes the confidence that comes with handling cash directly.

“I feel independent and I love talking to people.”

Hi, mom and caregivers, Nicola said Jack wouldn’t know how much money he had without cash.

“We were in the flower shop on Saturday and Jack wanted to buy a pack of mini eggs. They were priced at £4.95, so I gave Jack a note of £5 and he was able to pay.

“It’s also a big deal for Jack and his learning skills.”

Samantha Smith of Rotherham, 53, was blindly registered and said using cash was necessary because she had only 2-3% of her vision and could not see the numbers on the card machine to verify the transaction.

“Blind people rely on cash, so this will have an impact on the entire blind community.”

Samantha also fears that a cashless society might make her more vulnerable to scams and thefts, which she has experienced.

“Two years ago on Christmas, I went out and picked up the last few gifts. I had my handbag and purse to take me off. I only lost about £10 of my wallet.

“Individual businesses can decide what payments they accept, but the new rules introduced by the Financial Conduct Authority are designed to ensure that businesses can deposit cash and help those who want to continue accepting,” a spokesperson for the Ministry of Finance said.