The Treasury has confirmed that businesses are free to decide which forms of payment they accept, following debate over Wetherspoon’s decision to stop taking Scottish £20 and £50 notes in its English pubs.

Liberal Democrat MP Angus MacDonald asked whether the Government had discussed the pub chain’s policy on Scottish banknotes. In response, Treasury minister Lucy Rigby said: “There is no legal requirement for businesses to accept specific forms of payment. Each business decides which payment methods to accept based on factors including cost and customer needs and preferences.”

Her comments come after Wetherspoon announced the move last year, citing concerns about counterfeit currency. 

“We were notified by the Bank of England last October that a large number of fake Scottish £20 notes were being put into circulation by organised crime gangs.” Company spokesman Eddie Gershon explained. “Scottish £50 notes are not accepted for the same reason. We will continue to keep the decision under review.”

Rigby confirmed that the Government has “no plans” to alter the law, but pointed out that “the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023 introduced safeguards to protect the public’s access to cash” amid ongoing shifts in payment habits.