One of the politicians behind a review of the use of physical currency in Jersey has lodged a proposition that could see businesses which sell in-person goods and services required to accept cash from January 2028.

Deputy Montfort Tadier contended that such an approach should not be seen as “an imposition on retailers” – with most already willingly accepting cash – but as the “removal of red-tape for the consumer”.

He has also called for the government to produce long-term plans for access to cash and cash usage in the island.

Deputy Tadier chairs the Economic and International Affairs Scrutiny Panel, which last year published the findings of its review exploring the acceptance of cash payments in Jersey.

The research included examination of 136 written submissions from individuals, businesses and organisations – as well as 2,696 responses to an anonymous five-minute survey.

We should see cash inclusion not as an imposition on retailers, most of whom already willingly accept cash, but as a removal of red-tape for the consumer

Deputy Montfort Tadier

Of the respondents, 92% of businesses stated that they accepted both cash and digital payments, while 6% revealed that they only accepted digital payments.

The majority (71%) indicated that they mostly received digital payments (via cards, transfers or smartphones) and 20% indicated that cash payments represented under 10% of their transactions.

One of the panel’s recommendations was that Economic Development Minister Kirsten Morel should issue interim guidance to businesses “that they should accept a cash payment where it is the customer’s only way of paying”.

At the time, the minister said that this was “not considered necessary” and argued that “policy remains that businesses should be free to choose their preferred payment methods”.

Pictured: Deputy Montfort Tadier.

But Deputy Tadier has now lodged a proposition that, if approved, would ask the Council of Ministers “to take the necessary steps to ensure that from January 2028, businesses selling in-person goods and services must accept cash, unless they are exempt according to a list of reasonable exemptions to be developed by the council in consultation with stakeholders”.

It would also ask the government to bring forward a policy paper on “the long-term plans for access to cash and cash usage in the island”, including examination of the fees banks charge for depositing or withdrawing cash, to be presented to the States Assembly by March 2027.

“I would like to encourage everyone to see the positives of this proposition,” Deputy Tadier stated in his accompanying report.

“By making Jersey a cash-inclusive island, we are sending out a strong message that we are different to the rest of the UK; tourists are one group who still like to use cash. In Jersey, we have our own cash – it is both a novelty and a selling point.

“On top of that, we should see cash inclusion not as an imposition on retailers, most of whom already willingly accept cash, but as a removal of red-tape for the consumer.”

The proposition is due to be debated at the States sitting starting 10 March.