One in ten Britons do not live within a mile of a free cash machine

More than one in ten Britons do not live within a mile of a free cash machine

More than one in ten Britons do not have free access to cash within a mile of their homes, research shows.

In some rural areas more than half of the population have to travel more than a mile to get it, according to the Financial Conduct Authority and Payment Systems Regulator.

It comes amid warnings the most vulnerable risk being left isolated as they rely on cash to pay friends to buy essentials on their behalf.

Urban privilege: In some rural areas more than half of the population have to travel more than a mile to get it, according to the Financial Conduct Authority and Payment Systems Regulator

The survey collated data on around 19,000 branches, including post offices, and 60,000 cash machines. 

It shows only 45 per cent of the 51,751 residents in Ryedale, North Yorks, have free access to cash within a mile, the worst affected region in England. 

Eden, Cumbria, which has a population of 52,564, was the second worst, at just 49 per cent. 

Some 7 per cent of the public does not have any access within a mile. The survey’s ‘cold spots’ are areas that lost cash access within three miles between April and June. This affects fewer than 0.1 per cent.

Up to 12 per cent of bank branches and ATMs have been closed at any one time during the pandemic, it adds.

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