Sneeky new way to raise penalties?

From 1 April 2010 all cheque payments by post will be treated as being received by HM Revenue & Customs on the date when cleared funds reach HMRC's bank account. So if the cheque does not clear by the due date shown on your VAT return you may be liable to a surcharge for late payment.

Is this the "Minister for Change" just doing their job, or an encouragement to make electronic payments, or is the country so desperate for money that it has to find any method to raise extra cash?