United Kingdom

Bank hubs jointly operated by the 5 leading banks and the Post Office are the latest U.K. initiative to ensure access to cash services for individuals and businesses in a viable way. Eight pilots are currently being trialled across the U.K.

The U.K. government has endorsed the accelerated adoption of contactless payments during the Covid-19 pandemic, despite risks of fraud and contradicting its plans to ensure people have access to cash.

As the Covid-19 pandemic further reduces the U.K.’s ATM network, several pilots are underway to protect access to cash for consumers and small businesses.

Following the UK Government's announcement to protect the future cash system, a new survey shows that 76% of consumers think that the Government should do more to help people continue to have access to their cash.

The pilot, jointly spearheaded by Link and PayPoint, enables consumers to make free cash withdrawals from participating convenience stores and is part of Link’s efforts to maintain access to cash in remote locations and in the most deprived areas in the UK.

Age UK is deeply concerned that the headlong rush towards a cashless society is leaving some older people unable to pay their way. It joins a growing number of associations around the globe calling for universal access to cash.

The Banque de France as well as the National Ombudsman have reminded merchants that refusing cash for a payment is illegal in France. In the UK, various associations increasingly speak out for cash.

The amount of cash in circulation has risen sharply in the past weeks in both the US and the Euro Area.

In Sweden, new legislation was enacted on 1 January requiring banks to provide cash services. The UK Treasury has announced it would also introduce new regulations to protect access to cash.

According to consumer Association, Which? the closure of ATMs have saved UK banks £120 million in ATM interchange fees and cost consumers £104 million in surcharging.

Visa will pay shops to offer cashback in rural locations in the United Kingdom.

Following the launch of the Request an ATM scheme in October, LINK has received over 2,700 enquiries from across every part of the country. Link has announced a further £4 million in new investment from banks to fund new free-to-use ATMs.