More than ten million people are at risk of being left behind as the UK races towards a cashless society, a sobering report has found.
Our 'dash from cash' at the start of the Covid-19 pandemic is now thought to be irreversible, with half of us using fewer coins and notes than we used to.
But a comprehensive review of cash use in the UK, funded by ATM network Link and published by the Royal Society for Arts, Manufactures and Commerce (RSA), warns of problems ahead.




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In the early days of the pandemic, cash withdrawals plummeted by around half what they had been, amid fears that coronavirus could be transmitted through coins and notes

Research commissioned by the Bank of England would go on to prove that the risk of catching Covid-19 in this way was low.

However, several major restaurant and cafe chains are still turning cash-paying customers away.
French food chain C_te Brasserie says it is safer for its restaurants to only take card payments 'due to a reduction in local banking facilities'.
The report also found that people in deprived areas still take out the most cash from ATMs.


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On average, cash withdrawals fell by 46 per cent in the south of England, while in two of the most deprived constituencies — Liverpool Walton and Bradford South — they dropped by just 16 per cent and 20 per cent respectively.
The researchers also found that 15 million people use cash to budget.

Link chief executive John Howells says: 'For those living on tight budgets, there is no better alternative to notes and coins and they are in no rush to turn to money management tools.'
Industry-led schemes continue to offer some hope for those who use cash.

Eight more 'banking hubs' shared by High Street branches are set to open, and payments service PayPoint is rolling out purchase-free cashback across more than 2,000 stores, allowing people to access cash from shops without buying anything. 




But the report continues to stress an 'urgent need to introduce legislation' to ensure cash access across the country.
Cash payment options for essential government services, such as school dinners, council tax and utilities, were also called for in its recommendations.
Report author Mark Hall, of the RSA, says: 'It's vital that the dash to digital doesn't disenfranchise anyone, especially with the cost-of-living crisis putting such strain on family finances.'
A government spokesman says: 'We are committed to protecting access to cash across the UK.
'That's why we have consulted on plans for new laws to make sure people only need to travel a reasonable distance to pay in or take out cash, and have already legislated to enable shops to offer cashback to customers without them having to make a purchase.'
f.parker@dailymail.co.uk