Inclusive Payments: ScotPayments' Exploration into Why Payment Choice Matters

Having a choice in how we receive and use money is important for everyone. While using a bank or online banking might seem normal, some people in the UK don’t have a bank account, either because they choose not to or they can't access one. This can be the difference in being able to buy necessities or not. Through the topic of being unbanked, I will frame the problem space and highlight why payment choice is a key factor to consider in receiving or using money. I'll also talk about a solution space known as alternative payment methods, demonstrating their use by governments around the world and the third sector. I will conclude by discussing why the public sector, especially those involved in making payments to the public, has the potential to innovate within this space and simultaneously promote inclusivity.