Millions of people would struggle if the UK became completely cashless, report finds

[Deleted User]

I don't have a problem with a cashless society in principle, but the real point is that any change of this nature tends to have a devastating effect on a small number of people who have unique circumstances. We still live in a country where some people struggle to open bank accounts because they have no fixed address or are new to the country (I heard someone quote a figure recently that over a million people are in this situation).

Those people need better support if we're to make the full leap into becoming completely cashless and the classic British approach tends to be to ignore people in situations like that (or better yet scoff at them for being stupid) because they're a small minority. 

MattMattMattUK

Skintoap said:

I had managed to avoid using cash for several years. However, a couple of weeks ago a local supermarket’s card payment system had gone into meltdown. Banks and businesses may prefer card payment, but they’ll always need to be willing to accept cash in these circumstances. 

They do not though, they could just not sell anything for a few minutes to a few hours until the system is restored. Cash is the most costly payment method for businesses, the most inconvenient, both of those things increase the more infrequent it's usage becomes. 

Section62

Sea_Shell said:

I wonder what "currency" the black market of "cash in hand" would turn to?

If making a sale on FB, I'd happily take payment in the form of Prosecco 😉


How many bottles of spirits = a new driveway 🤔😉

This^

Given the number of queries on the Property/DIY boards that relate to work or quotes where 'cash' is a factor I'd suggest cash is more useful to a lot of people than surveys or anecdotal "I've not used cash in 20 years" comments might imply.

On the whole people are not going to respond to surveys or go online to share their experiences when it comes to using cash to facilitate unlawful (or otherwise dodgy) activities.

Thrugelmir

Sea_Shell said:

I wonder what "currency" the black market of "cash in hand" would turn to?

What it has always done. Exchange goods and services. 

AstonSmith

Ergates said:

There are people who for one reason or another don't have bank accounts. [...]

There is no logical reason why those people who current depend on cash *can't* switch to cashless.

I can think of one. CIFAS.

No bank is obligated to provide a service, and they usually refuse anyone with a CIFAS marker. No bank account = no cashless.

molerat

The only cash I use is for the window cleaner.   Chippie and other takeaways all take card, apart from one, most insisting on it being the only payment method available.

jon81uk said:

Also when briefly walking through Clacton Pier last weekend I spotted the change machines giving out 2ps took contactless. Could have got £2 worth of 2ps just by tapping a card I think.

Many businesses are already adapting to people carrying less cash.

Quite clever.  The 2ps are just recycled - I doubt anyone goes home with any, they just go back into the machines until you run out- the problem they have is having to count, bag and dispose of all the £1 coins put into the change machines.  We used to take the grandchildren to Blackpool and you could spend hours in Coral Island for a fiver

Ergates

AstonSmith said:

Ergates said:

There are people who for one reason or another don't have bank accounts. [...]

There is no logical reason why those people who current depend on cash *can't* switch to cashless.

I can think of one. CIFAS.

No bank is obligated to provide a service, and they usually refuse anyone with a CIFAS marker. No bank account = no cashless.

That's not an insurmountable problem though, that's just the as-is situation, there is no reason a solution to that couldn't be found.  A government owned bank of last resort for instance that *does* have to provide a basic service would be one option.

NBLondon

molerat said:

The only cash I use is for the window cleaner.   Chippie and other takeaways all take card, apart from one, most insisting on it being the only payment method available.

Sounds about right.  Window cleaner is my only regular cash payment.  My local chippie has a card machine.  I did recently encounter a takeway that only took cash where the sign included directions to the nearest ATM.  By fortunate coincidence, I'd refilled my wallet two days earlier - the first time I'd taken out any personal cash this year.

I say personal cash because I did get some joint account cash to pay a tradesperson by mutual agreement.  I pretend not to know their reasons for requesting it...

molerat said:

Quite clever.  The 2ps are just recycled - I doubt anyone goes home with any, they just go back into the machines until you run out- the problem they have is having to count, bag and dispose of all the £1 coins put into the change machines.  We used to take the grandchildren to Blackpool and you could spend hours in Coral Island for a fiver

I hadn't thought of that but you're right.  The only time anyone is leaving with a bag of 2ps is if they have then left at chucking out time (or being dragged home for tea-time)

phillw

molerat said:

Quite clever.  The 2ps are just recycled - I doubt anyone goes home with any, they just go back into the machines until you run out- the problem they have is having to count, bag and dispose of all the £1 coins put into the change machines.  We used to take the grandchildren to Blackpool and you could spend hours in Coral Island for a fiver

They are trying to go contactless for rides and arcade games too. I'm intrigued how they launder money now.

Daliah

AstonSmith said:

Ergates said:

There are people who for one reason or another don't have bank accounts. [...]

There is no logical reason why those people who current depend on cash *can't* switch to cashless.

I can think of one. CIFAS.

No bank is obligated to provide a service, and they usually refuse anyone with a CIFAS marker. No bank account = no cashless.

There are still Credit Unions, which take on even the most desperate cases, providing them with basic banking services. And there is the HSBC/Shelter initiative for homeless.