Minister urged to protect access to cash on high street

Consumer groups and businesses have written to the Government urging it to protect consumers’ access to cash on the high street. 

In particular, they want to ensure that none of the big banks is allowed to withdraw from either the Link cash machine scheme or the Post Office’s ‘banking framework’. 

Combined, these schemes provide bank customers with a vast network of cash machines and post office branches where they can withdraw money free of charge. 

Pressure: Consumer groups want to ensure that none of the big banks is allowed to withdraw from either the Link cash machine scheme or the Post Office’s ‘banking framework’

But banks, most recently Barclays this time last year, have threatened to withdraw on grounds of cost, jeopardising nationwide access to cash. 

The letter, sent to the Economic Secretary to the Treasury John Glen, is signed by the heads of the ATM Industry Association, Petrol Retailers Association, National Federation of SubPostmasters, cashpoint operator Cardtronics and advocacy group Positive Money. 

The signatories want a pledge that any legislation – promised by the Government in the New Year – would guarantee ‘widespread geographic access to cash’ and a minimum number of ‘withdrawal points’ in towns and villages, protecting access to cash and wider banking facilities in the UK. 

Separately, the consumer group Which? has written to bank bosses asking them to commit to Link for at least five years.

It is threatening to name and shame those that fail to do so.