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Abta urges members to lobby MPs over card payment costs

Abta is urging members to contact politicians about card payment costs.

The association is encouraging members to use an Abta template letter to lobby their local MP in support of the industry’s calls for government action to help reduce the cost of taking card payments.

Letters sent by members will support Abta’s forthcoming response to a Treasury consultation on digital and card payments, which closes on June 5. The consultation is exploring ways in which the government can intervene to reduce the cost of taking payments and create increased competition in the payments industry.

The association is seeking greater regulatory oversight of the entire card payments chain, including enforcement measures.

Luke Petherbridge, Abta’s senior public affairs manager said: “MPs are always open to the views of their constituents and in particular to the concerns of local businesses. We know that many travel businesses have been hit hard by recent legal changes. The high charges levied by acquirers and the scheme providers need to be urgently addressed, and this Treasury consultation gives the industry an important opportunity to make our case.”

An editable version of the template letter is available for download from the Member Zone of the ABTA website.

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