Huge majority wants government to protect free cashpoints – Positive Money poll reveals

LONDON, 6 December 2019 – New polling from the campaign group Positive Money has today revealed a near-universal desire for the next government to take action to stop the ongoing closure of free-to-use cash machines, which are being lost an unprecedented rate.

The poll of 1,672 adults from across Great Britain, commissioned by Positive Money and undertaken by YouGov in December 2019, found that 63% strongly support, and 25% tend to support, the next government guaranteeing that free-to-use cash machines remain open. Just 2% said they were opposed.

The findings come as Positive Money is mobilising hundreds of activists in the parliamentary seats worst-affected by ATM closures, in an effort to force the issue onto political parties’ agendas ahead of the election. Figures published by the group last week showed that nearly half of the hundred most marginal seats have lost at least ten free-to-use cashpoints in just over a year, suggesting that the issue could be a crucial factor as voters go to the polls.

5,644 free-to-use cash machines closed in total across the UK during the period between July 2018 and August 2019 according to Positive Money’s analysis of data published by the ATM network Link. This has occurred at a time when bank branches are also closing rapidly. The consumer group Which? recently revealed that 9800 branches have closed since 2015.

Commenting on Positive Money’s plans, spokesperson Rachel Oliver said,

“Most people want the option to use cash day-to-day, but the big banks are trying to deny us this right, and until now the government has done nothing to stop them.

“This polling makes it crystal clear: the public wants the next government to act. That means ensuring that banks pay their fair share of the network costs so ATMs remain free and available to everyone.

“All parties should outline clearly the steps they’ll take to end the cash crisis and keep free cash machines open. If our findings are anything to go by, those that do so will reap the rewards at the ballot box.”

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Notes

All figures, unless otherwise stated, are from YouGov Plc. The total sample size was 1,672 adults. Fieldwork was undertaken between between 3-4 December 2019. The survey was carried out online. The figures have been weighted and are representative of all GB adults (aged 18+).

To request a full copy of the poll results, including data broken down by characteristics including age, region, social grade and gender, please email  david.clarke@positivemoney.org.uk.

Data on cashpoint and bank branch closures in each constituency can be found here. The 41 of the hundred most marginal seats that lost at least ten free-to-use cash machines between July 2018 and August 2019 are listed here. This analysis is drawn from data available on the Link website.

About Positive Money

Positive Money campaigns for a money and banking system which supports a fair, democratic and sustainable economy. Set up in the aftermath of the financial crisis, Positive Money is a not-for-profit company funded by charitable trusts and foundations, as well as small donations from its network of over 20,000 supporters.