AOC0442

Written evidence submitted by Anonymous

As an adult literacy teacher, running a literacy project in an area of high social deprivation, I come into daily contact with people with low levels of skills, sometimes claiming benefits and always living day to day, on a tiny income.  For people struggling financially in this way, it is inconceivable that they would be able to manage without having cash. 

Several of the people I teach also have learning disabilities and minimal reading skills.  They would not be able to use a debit card safely and could certainly not conduct online transactions or use the internet for managing money.  Removing the possibility of using cash is, in effect, creating a devastating further disability for people who are already disabled.  If businesses are allowed or encouraged not to use cash, it will impact disproportionally on disabled and poorly skilled people -  in effect, removing them totally from participating productively in society. 

Having spoken to business owners on the pros and cons of accepting cash, I realise that, as more and more banks close branches in small towns, some business owners are having to drive miles at the end of the day in order to bank their takings.  Banks (which are after all making huge amounts of money on the back of ordinary depositors)  should be required to keep branches open in small country towns so that businesses can bank cash at the end of the day.  In this way, the use of cash will be facilitated, and a more equitable financial system will be ensured.

December 2024