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<p>The Government has not conducted an impact assessment on the effect of reduced
access to cash on small businesses, on vulnerable groups or on regional disparities
in access to cash.</p><p> </p><p>The Government initiated a discussion on payment
methods at Spring Statement 2018 through a Call for Evidence on Cash & Digital
Payments in the New Economy. This sought to gather evidence on how changing preferences
for cash and digital payments impact on different sectors, regions and demographics.</p><p>
</p><p>In its recent response to this Call for Evidence, the Government set out its
commitment to supporting digital payments whilst safeguarding access to cash for those
who need it. It announced a Treasury-led Joint Authorities Cash Strategy (JACS) Group,
bringing together the Bank of England, Financial Conduct Authority and Payments Systems
Regulator to inform and co-ordinate members’ activities related to cash.</p><p> </p><p>Additionally,
the Government-established Payment Systems Regulator (PSR) is closely monitoring developments
in ATM provision. The PSR regulates LINK, the scheme which runs the UK’s ATM network,
and has used its powers to hold LINK to account over LINK’s commitments to preserve
the broad geographic spread of the ATM network.</p>
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