End of rip-off card charges to boost business and help families, says council leader

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North Lincolnshire Council leader Rob Waltham has praised government plans to scrap debit and credit card surcharges, indicating that they will boost business in the area by helping families keep more of what they earn.

Charging people for using their card, sometimes as much as 20% of the purchase, will be banned from January 2018.

Surcharging is frequently used from across the country for people using their cards and using services such as PayPal.

Industries have acted to accept the cost themselves but the rules will bring an end to the charge completely.

In 2010 the total value of surcharges on credit and debit cards was £473 million.

Councillor Waltham said: “From January 2018 there will be no more nasty surprising charges for people using their cards whilst shopping.

“These changes will help families across North Lincolnshire with the cost of living by helping them keep more of what they earn and will be able to spend that on the things that matter to them.

“I have triggered an urgent review to ensure that the council removes all such charges going forward.”