CONTINUING TO WORK TO PROTECT FREE ACCESS TO CASH FOR NORTH AYRSHIRE & ARRAN RESIDENTS

I again showed my support for our cash infrastructure at an industry event in Parliament, hosted by the UK’s second-largest ATM provider, NoteMachine.

I was delighted to sign a pledge supporting our cash infrastructure, and heard from NoteMachine’s CEO, Philip Bowcock, about the urgent need to protect free access to cash across the UK – with more than two-thirds of the UK population believing cash is essential or important to our society.

Despite the continued need for free cash access, changes to the way ATMs have been funded has led to an increase in pay-to-use cash machines and threatening further cuts to the number of free-to-use ATMs across Scotland and the UK. Without UK Government intervention on this, we risk sleepwalking into a cashless society.

Despite the move toward online payments and banking, cash remains king for so many, including the most vulnerable in society, those living in rural areas and small shops and businesses – the lifeblood of our local communities across North Ayrshire & Arran.

I will continue to work to protect free access to cash for my constituents.