Latest news with #SamSmethers
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Digital powerhouse Uber now accepts cash for fares
Taxi app giant Uber is now allowing passengers across most of the UK to pay in cash. Following trials, the cash payment option was this week extended to all UK cities, except London, where it is being reviewed. But individual drivers can still opt out of accepting notes and coins, partly if they are worried about safety of carrying them in their vehicles. The move came as a major report suggested shops and services might need to be forced to accept cash in the future to protect those who rely on it. On Wednesday, the Treasury Committee of MPs stopped short of recommending mandated cash acceptance now, but said its report was "a wake-up call" to government on the issue. Uber has become a huge company and dominates the global ride-hailing market, as well as operating in a host of other transport sectors. Its rapid ascent has come with controversy and protests from other taxi providers. Its success has been based around new technology, but meant customers needed cashless payments to use its services. Following pilots in Birmingham, Stoke, Nottingham and Leicester, Uber said it has now extended the option of paying in cash to other UK cities, because some people preferred paying in cash or did not have a bank card. "We believe that movement should be accessible to everyone, so following successful pilots in some UK cities over the last 18 months, we have decided to give passengers outside of London the option to pay for trips with cash," a spokesman said. Passengers can select cash as their payment option on the app. Drivers can opt out in preferences on their own app. If they do not have enough change, that is given as a credit to the passenger by Uber. The cash option is being reviewed by authorities in London, and remains unavailable for Uber Eats or booking for other forms of transport via the Uber app. Cash campaigner Ron Delnevo from the Payment Choice Alliance said Uber's move "demonstrates that they now believe in the future of cash in the UK", and brought the company's operations in the UK in line with many other countries. He called on the government to introduce a law that would force all shops and services to accept cash. Ministers have said there are no plans to introduce such rules. However, the Treasury Committee's recent report did highlight various groups who relied on cash, including some people with learning disabilities and those who use cash to keep to a budget. Among those reliant on cash, and who gave evidence to the committee, were victim-survivors of domestic and economic abuse. Many face the dangers of being traced by their abuser via the payments they make. Buying a train ticket, for example, could only be done with cash in order to avoid an abusive partner becoming aware of their movements. "It really is a matter of life and death," said Sam Smethers, chief executive of the charity Surviving Economic Abuse. "Without it they find themselves monitored daily, with every transaction." Joint bank accounts and mortgages had also been used as a way to impose coercive control over somebody, she said. And cash could be used as an eventual escape route. "One victim-survivor said she hid pockets of cash around her house until she had enough to flee her abuser," she said. The charity would like to see cash acceptance backed by law, but Ms Smethers said she welcomed the focus the committee's report had put on the plight of those facing economic abuse. 'I'm trapped in a joint mortgage with my abuser' 'My cafe takes cash to help those on low incomes'
BBC News
03-05-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Uber now accepts cash for fares outside London
Taxi app giant Uber is now allowing passengers across most of the UK to pay in trials, the cash payment option was this week extended to all UK cities, except London, where it is being individual drivers can still opt out of accepting notes and coins, partly if they are worried about safety of carrying them in their move came as a major report suggested shops and services might need to be forced to accept cash in the future to protect those who rely on it. On Wednesday, the Treasury Committee of MPs stopped short of recommending mandated cash acceptance now, but said its report was "a wake-up call" to government on the issue. Ways to pay Uber has become a huge company and dominates the global ride-hailing market, as well as operating in a host of other transport sectors. Its rapid ascent has come with controversy and protests from other taxi success has been based around new technology, but meant customers needed cashless payments to use its pilots in Birmingham, Stoke, Nottingham and Leicester, Uber said it has now extended the option of paying in cash to other UK cities, because some people preferred paying in cash or did not have a bank card."We believe that movement should be accessible to everyone, so following successful pilots in some UK cities over the last 18 months, we have decided to give passengers outside of London the option to pay for trips with cash," a spokesman can select cash as their payment option on the app. Drivers can opt out in preferences on their own they do not have enough change, that is given as a credit to the passenger by cash option is being reviewed by authorities in London, and remains unavailable for Uber Eats or booking for other forms of transport via the Uber app. Tracing payments danger Cash campaigner Ron Delnevo from the Payment Choice Alliance said Uber's move "demonstrates that they now believe in the future of cash in the UK", and brought the company's operations in the UK in line with many other called on the government to introduce a law that would force all shops and services to accept have said there are no plans to introduce such the Treasury Committee's recent report did highlight various groups who relied on cash, including some people with learning disabilities and those who use cash to keep to a budget. Among those reliant on cash, and who gave evidence to the committee, were victim-survivors of domestic and economic face the dangers of being traced by their abuser via the payments they make. Buying a train ticket, for example, could only be done with cash in order to avoid an abusive partner becoming aware of their movements."It really is a matter of life and death," said Sam Smethers, chief executive of the charity Surviving Economic Abuse. "Without it they find themselves monitored daily, with every transaction."Joint bank accounts and mortgages had also been used as a way to impose coercive control over somebody, she cash could be used as an eventual escape route."One victim-survivor said she hid pockets of cash around her house until she had enough to flee her abuser," she charity would like to see cash acceptance backed by law, but Ms Smethers said she welcomed the focus the committee's report had put on the plight of those facing economic abuse.
Daily Mirror
23-04-2025
- Business
- Daily Mirror
Domestic abusers' vile tactic to stop victims fleeing sparks call for change
Abusers are exploiting victim-survivors' immigration status to trap them and ensure they are unable to access a bank account, according to a new report by Surviving Economic Abuse Domestic abusers are withholding passports and visas from migrant victims to make it impossible for them to flee, grim research has found. Abusers are exploiting victim-survivors' immigration status to trap them and ensure they are unable to access a bank account, according to a new report by charity Surviving Economic Abuse (SEA). Victim-survivors without leave to remain are legally unable to open their own bank account, leaving them economically dependent on the abuser or facing extreme hardship. Research shows abusers target women during the process of applying for leave to remain by withholding documentation or purposely letting their visa lapse. SEA said victim-survivors without a bank account have been left unable to buy food for themselves or their kids, or pay for the bus to escape the abuser. And any support the victim may get from financial services can end up in the bank account of the abuser. Limited leave to remain is permission for someone to stay in the UK, often with a visa, while indefinite leave to remain is when permanent residency is granted and the person is eventually able to apply for British citizenship. Up until 2014, anyone could access a bank account in the UK as long as they had proof of identity and address. But the introduction of the Immigration Act limited access for those without leave to remain, except if they face 'legitimate barriers' which prevent them from leaving the UK. SEA is calling on the Government to provide guidance to financial services telling them to legally recognise domestic abuse as a 'legitimate barrier' to leaving the UK. This would allow migrant victim-survivors to open a basic independent bank account while awaiting the outcome of their application for leave to remain and remove this barrier to safety. According to SEA's research, nearly one million UK women were trapped with an abusive partner because of economic abuse in the last year. Sam Smethers, chief executive of SEA, said having access to a bank account was a 'necessity for survival' in a cashless society. 'Denying migrant victim-survivors access to an independent bank account traps them with abusers, making it impossible for them to flee,' she said. No one should be forced to stay with a dangerous abuser simply because of their immigration status. 'In an increasingly cashless society having access to a bank account isn't just about financial independence, it's a necessity for survival. Without a bank account, victim-survivors are often left unable to buy food for themselves and their children or pay for the bus to flee the abuser.' A Home Office spokesman said: 'Economic abuse can have a devastating impact on victims, the Home Office is providing funding to Surviving Economic Abuse to raise awareness and support victims. The factors leading to economic abuse, are deep-rooted and complex. We will use every lever available to us to tackle this crime as part of our mission to halve violence against women and girls in a decade.'
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Charity and banks aim to stop abusive ex-partners using mortgages as ‘weapon'
A charity is teaming up with banks to help prevent people being pushed into homelessness by abusive partners or ex-partners using joint mortgages as a "weapon". HSBC UK, First Direct and the domestic abuse charity Surviving Economic Abuse (SEA) will work together to prevent opportunities for economic abusers. Economic abuse in couples involves a current or ex-partner controlling a victim-survivor's money with long-lasting and damaging effects. Some people end up in debt and lose their home and job. READ MORE: Saudi Arabia Eid moon sighting controversy as experts warn date may be wrong READ MORE: Martin Lewis urges households to stock up on common £1.65 item before April SEA will deliver training to HSBC UK and First Direct staff, helping them to spot the signs of economic abuse and support customers who are experiencing it. The charity will also work with mortgage teams to identify opportunities and test approaches to improve support for customers experiencing joint mortgage economic abuse. Sam Smethers, interim CEO of SEA, said abusers are "weaponising" joint mortgages to devastate people's lives, adding: "Many end up trapped with the abuser or facing homelessness and destitution. "Together with HSBC UK, we'll support them to help victim-survivors take control of their finances and safely rebuild their lives." Jose Carvalho, head of wealth and personal banking at HSBC UK, said: "All providers in the finance industry and beyond have a role in tackling this issue and we are proud to partner with Surviving Economic Abuse to strengthen protections for those affected. "By working together, we can help ensure that no one is forced into homelessness or financial hardship due to an abusive partner's actions – giving victim-survivors the support they need to regain control of their finances and rebuild their lives." Get the top stories from across London directly to your inbox. Sign up for MyLondon's The 12 HERE to get the biggest stories every day
