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<p>The government recognises that while the transition towards digital payments brings
many opportunities, cash continues to be used by many people across the UK, including
those who may be in vulnerable groups.</p><p> </p><p>The government is currently legislating
to protect access to cash across the UK as part of the Financial Services and Markets
Bill 2022. The Bill establishes the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) as the lead
regulator for access to cash with responsibility and powers to seek to ensure reasonable
provision of withdrawal and deposit facilities. In recognition of the important role
of cash for individuals, the government has tabled an amendment to the Bill that will
require the FCA to seek to ensure that there is reasonable provision of free withdrawal
and deposit facilities for holders of personal accounts.</p><p> </p><p>The ATM network
also plays a critical role in the availability of cash withdrawal facilities. LINK
(the scheme that runs the UK's largest ATM network) has made commitments to protect
the broad geographic spread of free-to-use ATMs and is held to account against these
commitments by the Payment Systems Regulator. According to LINK data for March 2023,
there were around 39,000 free-to-use ATMs across the UK, including 53 free-to-use
ATMs in the constituency of Nottingham East. Further information is available at:
<a href="https://www.link.co.uk/initiatives/financial-inclusion-monthly-report/" target="_blank">https://www.link.co.uk/initiatives/financial-inclusion-monthly-report/</a></p>
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