Cash makes a comeback in the spending habits of UK shoppers

The British Retail Consortium says one in five purchases were made with notes and coins as people turned to cash to help them stick to their budgets.

Transcript

00:00The use of cash in shops has gone up for the second year in a row, breaking a decade-long

00:07decline.

00:08The British Retail Consortium says one in five purchases made last year were made with

00:12notes and coins, as people turned to cash to help them stick to their budgets.

00:17Charities are worried that more and more places refusing to take cash is shutting some people

00:21out.

00:22Older people and those with mental health struggles are being left behind, say some

00:26charities.

00:27Some people find cash easier to use, especially if they're not comfortable with digital payments

00:30or technology.

00:32Without cash, some might lose access to everyday services they depend on.

00:36The issue goes beyond shops.

00:38Charities say cash is no longer accepted in lots of places, from leisure centres and parking

00:42meters to cafes and public transports.

00:44Even with these challenges, the British Retail Consortium says all major retailers are still

00:49committed to taking cash, ensuring it remains an option for those who need it most.

00:54But what about you?

00:55Do you use cash when shopping, and do you think it's still an important payment option?

00:59And should businesses continue to accept cash, or is a move to a cashless society inevitable?