Recommendation 10

We asked the witnesses what they are doing to meet differing needs for cash within rural areas, for example where people might want privacy when withdrawing money and where others, on a budget, might not wish to be tempted to make a purchase if having to visit a shop for cash.25 The PSR told us that its policy is to protect the coverage of free- to-use cash machines. Ultimately, we were told that communities, if they have a good case, are able to ask for help from Link, the cash machine network, if local needs are not being met.26 The recent government consultation on cash access has raised the possibility of changing the current regulations, set by the EU, to allow cashback in shops without making a purchase.27 The PSR also pointed to the importance of the post office network in maintaining access to cash and suggested that it was likely to play an even larger role.28 However, post offices will not always be open at times when people want to access cash, and we are aware of examples of local post offices being under threat of closure.29 We also asked about the impact of declining cash use on fundraising by community organisations, for example charities and churches, but were told by the witnesses that they are not looking at this as responsibility lies elsewhere in government.30