One in 10 free cashpoints in the UK have now closed or switched to fee-paying, according to the latest research from consumer campaign group Which?

An analysis of data from Link, the UK’s largest network of ATMs, found that nine per cent of free cashpoints across the country closed or became fee paying over a 17 month period, with deprived areas losing free access to cash at a much higher rate than more affluent areas.

A total of 8,700 free-to-use ATMs have either switched or closed since January 2018. Taking into account new free-to-use ATMs, there are 5,300 fewer free-to-use ATMs than in Jan 2018.

Which? pointed to data which showed that while cash use is in decline, there are still 1.9 million people in the UK reliant on using cash it in their daily lives.

Which? chief executive Anabel Hoult and Natalie Ceeney, chair of the independent Access to Cash Review, have written to chancellor Sajid Javid, calling for the government to take action to guarantee people’s ability to access and pay with cash, ensuring that millions of people who rely on it as a payment method are not left behind as the trend for digital payments picks up pace.

Overall, Which? researchers found that the most deprived areas across the UK saw a reduction of 979 free-to-use machines – equivalent to six per cent of their ATM network. By contrast, the least deprived areas lost just 223 free cashpoints – equivalent to four per cent of their network.

Jenny Ross, Which? money editor, said: “We know that people in more deprived communities tend to rely heavily on cash, so it’s deeply concerning that those who can least afford it are being hit with the extra burden of hefty fees to access their own money as free cashpoints close at an alarming rate.

“The government and regulators must urgently get a grip on these rapid changes to the cash landscape and guarantee people across the UK can continue to access this important payment method for as long as it is required.”

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