Previously the Emerging Payments Association or EPA, The Payments Association aims to empower influencers in the payments industry to connect, collaborate and learn. The organisation also works closely with stakeholders such as the Bank of England, the FCA, HM Treasury, the PSR, Pay.UK, UK Finance and Innovate Finance.
Editorial
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The Payments Association’s manifesto, ‘Making Britain a Payments Powerhouse’, describes 77 policies recommended by over 150 payments professionals working across regulation, financial crime, digital currencies, financial inclusion, open banking, ESG, merchant payments and cross-border payments.
The manifesto launch took place at the House of Commons, Terrace Pavilion, hosted on behalf of The Payments Association by David Burton Sampson MP, co-chair of the APPG Open Finance and Payments, with Economic Secretary to the Treasury, Lucy Rigby KC, MP speaking at the event.
Stablecoins and digital currencies are a focal point in the report and are supportive of the UK Government’s drive for a safe and effective regime for crypto assets. However, The Payments Association believes that the current frameworks and procedures in place today are stifling progress.
The organisation is calling for the central bank to remove holding limits on systemic stablecoins, improve the backing assets ratio and removing the wholesale ban. With these changes, The Payments Association believes the UK will be equipped to thrive in the digital finance economy and remain competitive globally.
Emphasis is also placed on support for UK merchants – namely SMEs – that regularly face regulatory burdens but lack a voice in regulatory decision-making. These companies must also be well equipped to innovate, adapt to modern payment methods and manage risk, according to The Payments Association.
Other core themes that the Payments Association will continue to champion include advancing financial inclusion; tackling financial crime and; accelerating the UK’s adoption of open banking, open finance, and open data.
Ben Agnew, CEO of The Payments Association, says: “The Manifesto asks for confidence, clarity and collaboration – so that together we can turn policy into progress. If the UK wants growth, resilience and global leadership, payments must be treated as strategic national infrastructure. We have an opportunity to create a payments infrastructure and outcome-focused regulation that drives UK growth; champions fair access and ensures the UK keeps pace with bold moves in the EU, US and Asia. Making it the most attractive place in the world to build and scale a payments business.”
David Burton-Sampson MP adds: “I am delighted to continue working alongside The Payments Association who are fantastic advocates for connecting and representing the payments industry. I also congratulate them on the launch of their 2026 Payments Manifesto. We enter this year at a key juncture for the industry, with the Labour Government having set out clear direction on the future of payments through the National Payments Vision and further guidance through the Financial Inclusion Strategy. Additionally, the new National Fraud Strategy is due to be published imminently. It’s time to embrace the future and for industry to work closely with government, the Bank of England and the Regulator to ensure greater alignment and pace so we can benefit from the opportunity that is laid before us. The Payments Manifesto 2026 should be used as a guide to accelerate positive progress.”
