An MP has joined a campaign to help save access to cash and prevent the slide into a cashless society.
Kirsten Oswald, SNP MP for East Renfrewshire, has come together with other parliamentarians to call for people’s access to cash to be protected.
It comes as people across the UK find that there are fewer and fewer cash machines and bank branches in their neighbourhoods.
Don't miss the latest headlines from around Renfrewshire. Sign up to our newsletters here.
According to the Office for National Statistics, the number of bank and building society branches in the UK fell from 13,345 in 2012 to 8,810 in 2021, a fall of 4,535 or 34 per cent.
And between July 2018 and February 2022, the number of free to use ATMs in the UK fell by 12,968 (20 per cent).
Research conducted for the Access to Cash Review found that 17 per cent of people (8m adults) across the UK are concerned at how they would cope with a cashless society.
Those who rely on others to do their household shopping, including those who receive care at home, will be particularly hard hit by the loss of free access to cash, said Ms Oswald.
She added that many small businesses continue to prefer cash payments.
Kirsten Oswald said: “Right across East Renfrewshire there are many individuals who require access to cash, including many who are vulnerable or receiving care. It is clear that the banking sector is currently failing to protect free access to cash.
“People are rightly concerned that the loss of free to use ATMs and bank branches closing, is going to leave these individuals struggling to access cash.
“Communities in East Renfrewshire have experienced the loss of many free to use services, with the closure of the Clarkston Bank of Scotland branch just the latest in this long-term decline.
“That is why I was delighted to sign up to a call for the UK Government to act now to reverse this trend and ensure that free access to cash is protected in law. No one should have to pay every time they need access to their own money.”
Also joining her in the campaign was the CEO of the UKs biggest providers of cash machines, NoteMachine.
Phillip Bowcock, said: “What we need now however is to turn words in to actions, and that includes legislation to ensure consumers can continue to access their own cash, for free, whenever they need it.”
Download the FREE Renfrewshire Live app now for all the latest news, features and sport in your area.
