London — The British government on Wednesday said it would ban companies from charging consumers for paying by debit and credit cards, as the country struggles to bring down its debt. "This is about fairness and transparency, and so from next year, there will be no more nasty surprises for people at the check-out just for using a card," Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Stephen Barclay, said in a statement. Consumers making purchases in Britain are being asked to pay up to 20% more on their bills, such as for flights, for using a card rather than cash, the Treasury said. "With many feeling the squeeze in the cost of living, people shouldn’t be hit with unexpected fees," said Guy Anker, managing editor at consumer website, MoneySavingExpert.com. But he cautioned that following the change, some companies would likely raise prices of their goods and services "to compensate for the loss, which could hit those who currently pay in cash". Currently, businesses face charges from card com...
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