A bill calling for Scottish banknotes to be accepted throughout the UK has been lodged in the Commons after tennis coach Judy Murray was turned down by a London bakery when trying to buy doughnuts because they “only take British” banknotes.
Alistair Carmichael MP yesterday presented his Legal Tender (Scottish Banknotes) Bill to Parliament in a bid to encourage businesses across the UK to recognise and accept Scottish banknotes.
While Scottish banknotes can be accepted in England, they do not carry the status of legal tender.
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Murray, mother of Wimbledon winner Andy, recently tweeted that she had been trying to buy two doughnuts for £9 but had been unable to complete the purchase because staff wouldn’t accept her cash.
The Bill would enhance the status of Scottish banknotes and mean a distinction couldn’t be made between these and other banknotes issued in the UK when accepting them as payment.
Carmichael, the Scottish Liberal Democrat deputy leader said: “Every Scot who travels south has a story about their money being turned down or looked at sceptically.
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“There is no reason to make a distinction between Scottish and other banknotes as acceptable payment. Its beyond time we give legal force to the well-known phrase ‘that’s legal tender pal’.
“I hope that this Bill will encourage businesses across the UK to recognise and accept Scottish currency.”
