AN MP has lodged a bill in the House of Commons calling for Scottish banknotes to be accepted throughout the UK.
Scottish LibDem deputy leader Alistair Carmichael present his Legal Tender (Scottish Banknotes) Bill to Parliament as he bids to encourage businesses across the UK to recognise and accept notes from north of the Border.
Although Scottish banknotes may be accepted in England, they do not carry the status of legal tender.
Carmichael’s bill would enhance the status of the notes and mean a distinction could not be made between these and other banknotes issued in the UK when accepting them as payment.
Only this week, Judy Murray revealed her Scottish notes had been turned down by a bakery when trying to buy doughnuts because they “only take British” banknotes.
READ MORE: Judy Murray's £10 note refused in London bakery as it's not British
While in February Costa faced a backlash after staff refused currency from north of the Border.
READ MORE: Costa prompts outrage after refusal of Scottish banknote
Commenting on the bill, Carmichael said: “Every Scot who travels south has a story about their money being turned down or looked at sceptically.
“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.”
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