The UK Payments Council has launched its revised National Payments Plan.

This is the second edition of the plan and it has been shaped by public consultation and stakeholder engagement, market research and the lessons learned from the Council's work on the future of cheques. A number of key actions have been identified: helping increase customer confidence in making electronic payments. This will include enhancing the benefit customers get when using the Faster Payments Service by developing mandatory minimum standards, and helping ensure that they are sending an electronic payment to the right person using the correct account data.

Also high on the agenda, reviewing ways to allow customers to elect someone to make payments on their behalf, specifically addressing the needs of the housebound and ensuring any solution minimises any risk of fraud. Plus, helping people choose the payment options that best suits their needs, primarily through the ongoing Pay Your Way education campaign and raising awareness of chip and signature cards (which provide an alternative for customers unable to use chip and PIN cards).

Gary Hocking, acting chief executive of the Payments Council, says: “Our new National Payments Plan has been shaped by everyone who uses payments and reflects the views of our stakeholders. This is critical in such a fast-moving payments landscape. Our goal over the next few years is to deliver these commitments successfully so that people have access to a wide choice of payments that are suited to their needs and that they feel comfortable using them. It is important that our strategy remains current and relevant for all types of customers, so our next update is scheduled for 2014.”

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