Cheques have been in use for over 300 years in the UK. Cheques were used to transfer £1.9 trillion in 2009 with 4 million being issued every day. Across the country 1/3 of people still use cheques regularly, and 75% use the cheque facility with their bank accounts.

In December 2009 the Payments Council – representing the major high street banks – set a target date of 2018 for the closure of central cheque clearing. The banks stand to gain £200 million ayear by phasing out cheques. The Payments Council also includes providers of alternative payment methods such as PayPal and Cash Zone who would be major beneficiaries of cheques’ abolition.

In 2018 when cheques are due to be phased out 2 billion will still be issued every day and they will be used to transfer £600 billion every year. The decision will have major ramifications for disabled, elderly and housebound, as well as charities and small businesses. 64% of people aged over 65 have never used the internet.

The Save Our Cheque campaign is backed by the consumer group Which?, the Union Unite, Age UK, the RNIB, the Federation of Small Businesses and the Institute of Fundraisers.