Age UK response on cheques

Age UK's response to Treasury Select Committee report on cheques

Michelle Mitchell, Age UK's Charity Director says: 'The Treasury Select Committee's call for banks to consider bringing back the cheque guarantee card is good news. It's a chance for banks and building societies to live up to their word and prove that the future of cheques is safe.

'But, whatever happens, the banking industry must be clear about what it is going to do to ensure that cheques remain a widely accepted, safe and accessible option for those who rely on them.

'Cheques and other payment systems are essential services upon which the public relies - just like the provision of water and electricity. Their future must not be left solely to the banking industry and its representative bodies to determine.'

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Notes to editors

Age UK

For media enquiries relating to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland please contact the appropriate national office: Age Scotland on 0131 668 8055, Age Cymru on 029 2043 1562 and Age NI on 028 9024 5729.

Age UK is the new force combining Age Concern and Help the Aged, dedicated to improving later life.

We provide free information, advice and support to over five million people; commercial products and services to over one million customers; and research and campaign on the issues that matter to people in later life. Our work focuses on five key areas: money matters, health and well being, home and care, work and training and leisure and lifestyle. We work with our national partners, Age Scotland, Age Cymru and Age NI (together the Age UK Family), our local Age UK partners in England and local Age Concerns. We also work internationally for people in later life as a member of the DEC and with our sister charity Help Age International.

Age UK is a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in England (registered charity number 1128267 and company number 6825798). Age Concern England and Help the Aged (both registered charities), and their trading and other associated companies merged on the 1st April 2009. Together they have formed the Age UK Group ("we"). Charitable services are offered through Age UK and commercial products are offered by the Charity's trading companies, which donate their net profits to Age UK (the Charity).

Media contact: Mallary Gelb
Telephone: 020 303 31682
Out-of-office-hours: 07071 243 243