Johnston responds to credit card queries

Wed, 08 Nov 2023

During yesterdays (November 7) House of Keys sitting the Minister for Enterprise, Tim Johnston MHK was asked the possibility of Tesco and the Isle of Man Post Office offering credit cards to Manx residents.

Jason Moorhouse MHK asked the Minister “whether any update has been received from Tesco since 17th October 2023 about reinstating their credit card offering”.

The Minister said there is no further update from that given at the October Tynwald sitting – where a dialogue was raised that the previous withdrawal in 2022 of Tesco Credit Cards from Island residents and whether this position could be reviewed in light of their expanded presence.  

He said that his Department “have followed this request up in writing and have received confirmation that it will be considered”.

He added: “It is important to clarify that Tesco Credit Cards are provided by a subsidiary of Tesco Group PLC and, as such, operate completely independently and distinctly from the retail business.

“The Department continues to engage with Tesco more generally and should any information be forthcoming in respect of Credit Cards, an update will be given at that time.”

Mr Moorhouse also asked the Minister when he, or anyone from his Department, last discussed with the Post Office the possibility of its issuing credit cards.

The Minister stated that it was last discussed at routine liaison meeting on November 3, and that the "Post Office’s position had not changed in this respect".

He said: “Due to the complexity in setting up such a service outside its core functions, and the financial risk this could pose, the Post Office Board do not have any plans to progress this as a new project.”

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