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<p>The Government recognises that widespread free access to, and acceptance of, cash
remains extremely important to the day-to-day lives of many consumers and businesses
in the UK.</p><p> </p><p>In Spring 2018, the Government conducted a Call for Evidence
on Cash & Digital Payments in the New Economy. In the recent response to this
Call for Evidence, the Government committed to supporting digital payments whilst
safeguarding access to cash for those who need it. Furthermore, the Government announced
the launch of the Joint Authorities Cash Strategy (JACS) Group, which brings together
the Payment Systems Regulator (PSR), Financial Conduct Authority and Bank of England
to ensure a comprehensive oversight of the overall cash infrastructure in light of
changing trends related to cash.</p><p> </p><p>The Government established the PSR
in 2015, with robust powers and a statutory objective to ensure that the UK's payment
systems work in the interests of their users. 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><p> </p><p>Furthermore,
the Government has invested heavily in maintaining a stable network of Post Office
branches, with investment of over £2 billion since 2010. Currently, 99 per cent of
personal customers and 95 per cent of small business customers can access cash locally
at one of the Post Office’s 11,500 branches.</p>
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