Question to the HM Treasury:

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what recent estimate his Department has made of the number of people in (a) St Helens North constituency, (b) the North West and c) the UK for whom cash is their primary payment method.

The Government recognises that cash remains important for many individuals and businesses across the UK. That is why, at the March 2020 Budget, the Chancellor announced that the Government will bring forward legislation to protect access to cash for those who need it.

The Government is engaging with the financial regulators, including through the Joint Authorities Cash Strategy Group, to monitor the impact of COVID-19 on the UK’s cash infrastructure and ensure that those who rely on cash to transact can continue to do so in the long-term. The Financial Conduct Authority and Payment Systems Regulators are developing a comprehensive picture of cash access infrastructure across the UK in relation to social economic factors that reflect consumer needs, building upon their mapping work carried out during the COVID-19 crisis.

LINK, the UK’s main ATM network, publishes the annual total of free-to-use ATMs across the UK since 1998 online. As of 2019, there were 45,000 free-to-use ATMs in the UK; although this is less than the peak number in 2017, this remains 13% higher than a decade ago. LINK’s Monthly ATM Footprint Report also publishes information monthly on the break down by constituency.

During the COVID-19 outbreak, financial services firms have announced a range of measures to support vulnerable customers. We are working with the Financial Conduct Authority to ensure there is continued support for these people. For example, many firms have methods for trusted third parties to access cash. Anyone with questions should contact their banking service provider.