A new study by Travel Cash Provider Bidwedge reveals that almost a third of Britons still rely on cash on essential shopping, even when UK retailers choose to pay by card only over concerns that coins and notes can help transfer infectious Covid-19 particles.
A survey conducted across 2,083 UK adults found that 32% of British people (approximately 15,570,000) prefer to use cash on essential shopping and products despite national efforts to prioritize card payments.
60% of the approximately 28,820,000 British people say they always have cash to people, as it helps them feel even more “economically safe.”
On the holidays, 55% of Brits (17,780,000) said they still use cash as their primary payment method, while 13% of Brits (the small but important 5,476,000) say that cash is “essential to their livelihoods” and that their income is paid in cash.
Bidwedge CEO Shon Alam commented on the study.
“Despite all the calls from people who use their cards, cash is extremely important to millions of UK people across the country. The community relies on cash and for businesses it’s cheaper to process cash rather than paying for the cards, so we can help thousands of businesses that are actually struggling.”
Earlier this year, the World Health Organization made headlines that seemingly discourage people from using cash during the peak of the coronavirus pandemic. The institution’s cash task team released guidance in April, advised in contact with cash to practice strict personal hygiene to minimize the risk of infection.
“Contactless or mobile payments should be the preferred option to reduce the risk of sending. If this is not possible, processing cash should be followed by basic precautions (…) regular hand washing and avoid contact with mouth, nose or eyes when in contact with potentially contaminated surfaces.”
This advice was issued during the first wave of the pandemic, when information on the nature of Covid-19 remains sparse and general advice tended to be careful.
Nevertheless, Alam still warns that there is little room for self-complaint and offers some tips on how to safely use cash during the pandemic.
“Most mobile phones and tablet wipes should quickly sanitize new plastic notes and follow guidance from the World Health Organization to remember to wash your hands after dealing with physical money.
“Many cash dispensers disinfect their money before they leave the wall, so they try to find cash points doing this and make payments close to the total total to avoid getting too many changes and giving them unnecessary coins.”
