Written question WQ88104

Responsibility for banking and financial services is a non-devolved matter and our levers in this space are limited. That said, we are keen to use all levers at our disposal to ensure that visually impaired people across Wales are able to make card payments.

The banking sector has protocols in place to assist visually impaired people make card purchases, which includes making chip and pin signature cards available where people are not able to use chip and pin cards.

Our Disability Rights Taskforce includes blind and partially sighted members who contribute their lived experience to working groups, this includes travel and access to services. The working groups’ co-produced recommendations will form an action plan, to improve the lives of disabled people in Wales.

It is essential barriers are removed in all aspects of Welsh life to enable blind and partially sighted people to fully participate.

We are committed to equality and access to information and services for blind and partially sighted people.

We are committed to developing accessible, high quality, responsive and citizen-centred services that meet the needs of all blind and partially sighted people in Wales.

We will discuss this issue with social partners, stakeholders/ business representative groups and associated retail and hospitality sector to encourage them to retain cash systems to ensure vulnerable groups are not disadvantaged in any way and to raise awareness of the issue highlighted.