Nationwide data from cash machine operator Link indicates a substantial decrease in cash withdrawals across all UK constituencies since 2019. In the first six months of 2026, Britons made 500 million fewer visits to cash machines compared to the same period in 2019. Despite the reduced frequency of use, the average amount withdrawn per visit has increased.

Across London and the South East of England, the average withdrawal amount exceeded £100 in the first half of 2026. In northern England, the average was £93, and in Scotland, it was £91. Central London saw the highest average withdrawal per visit, topping £140 during the January-June 2026 period. Lewisham in London was the only area where the average withdrawal remained below £80, at £79.32.

In total, £36 billion was withdrawn from cash machines between January and June 2026, a decrease of £21 billion compared to the same period in 2019. This represents a daily reduction of £119 million.

Nick Quin, head of financial inclusion at Link, stated that the trend reflects a broader national shift away from cash. "We are using less cash as a nation," Quin said. "It was actually only back in 2018 when card payments overtook cash for the first time. Since the Covid pandemic, the shift towards digital, either through online shopping or through contactless cards and increasingly digital wallets on smartphones means that cash is no longer the preferred method of payments."

Regions With Slower Shift Away From Cash

While cash use is declining overall, some areas show a slower rate of change. West Tyrone in Northern Ireland experienced the smallest drop in cash withdrawal volume, with a 37% decrease when comparing the first half of 2019 to the same period in 2026. The value of withdrawals in West Tyrone fell by only 5% in the same timeframe. Northern Ireland's reliance on cash may be influenced by cross-border travel from the Republic of Ireland, which uses the Euro.

In England, the Weald of Kent saw the slowest shift away from cash machine use, with a 35% drop in volume and a 13% drop in value. Other areas exhibiting a slower transition include Mid Ulster in Northern Ireland, Birmingham Yardley in the West Midlands, East Antrim in Northern Ireland, and Leicester East.

Areas Embracing Digital Payments Fastest

Conversely, city centers and affluent suburban areas, which typically have higher digital adoption rates, have seen the most rapid decline in cash machine usage. Hayes and Harlington in London experienced a 73% drop in cash machine use and a 65% decrease in withdrawal value. This constituency includes Heathrow Airport, where the rise of digital banking services offering fee-free international cash withdrawals may have contributed to the trend.

Bristol Central recorded a 77% drop in cash machine use volume and a 61% decrease in withdrawal value. Significant falls were also observed in Holborn and St Pancras, London, and Cambridge. The Cities of London and Westminster district saw a daily reduction of £2 million in cash issued, while The Weald of Kent had the smallest daily fall of approximately £17,000.

Quin noted that the largest drops are concentrated in major city centers like London, Bristol, Manchester, and Edinburgh, as well as areas near large international airports. He also highlighted variations within cities, citing Glasgow where withdrawal numbers dropped by nearly 75% in some parts, while falling by half in others a few miles away.

"People are visiting ATMs less often, but when we look a bit more closely at the numbers, in parts of the country which are more deprived, the overall values – how much we withdraw – are down by less than a third," Quin explained. "In essence, we’re using ATMs less often, but there’s still a lot of cash being taken out. That's important to remember. Digital may be easy for many and has become the default for some. However, for people who are less well-off, living on a budget or who can't use digital, there's no alternative to cash."

Decline in Cash Machine Numbers

The number of cash machines has also decreased, falling from 62,000 at the end of June 2019 to 43,000 at the end of June 2026, a reduction of 31%. The rate of decline in cash machines has been slower than the reduction in cash withdrawals. Makerfield in Greater Manchester saw the slowest rate of change, with 4% fewer machines in 2026 compared to 2019. In contrast, Windsor lost over half of its machines during the same period.

Earlier this year, a review was launched to assess and protect access to face-to-face banking services across Britain. Commissioned by Lucy Rigby, Economic Secretary to the Treasury, the Access to Banking Review is gathering evidence on the impact of branch closures and identifying affected populations. The review is chaired by Richard Lloyd and is expected to deliver a report with recommendations to the government by October.