A MINISTER has apologised to Islanders affected by a no-cash policy across government sports facilities after some expressed concern that it excludes the vulnerable or elderly.
But Deputy Lucy Stephenson, who is Assistant Infrastructure Minister with delegated responsibility for sports facilities, did not indicate that the government would change its stance, despite the criticism.
An Islander took to social media last week to explain that they had taken their autistic client swimming at a support session at Les Quennevais Sports Centre and he tried to pay cash – but was refused.
They wrote: “Got told it was put in place during Covid times, but it’s not right when places don’t accept cash, as it often excludes the vulnerable or elderly who usually use cash.”
Others commented on the post in agreement, writing: “It does feel a bit discriminatory to refuse cash. A private business is, I suppose, entitled to do what it likes, but this is a government-owned facility!”
Deputy Stephenson apologised “if anyone has been upset or inconvenienced by the fact we do not accept cash at our sports facilities”.
In a statement provided to the JEP, she continued: “This has been the case across government, including at our sports centres, since before the pandemic in early 2020.
“The decision was made due to the decline in users paying with cash and to streamline the processes associated with that method of payment.”
