It would be far too rash to get rid of cash, say industry experts
Has it ever been more difficult to get hold of money? We’re not talking about the ability to make money – that is difficult enough. But we’re talking about being out and about in glorious Gloucestershire and getting your hands on your hard-earned cash. Once at the heart of every community, no matter how rural and remote, the local bank was able to supply you with the cash you needed. As technology improved, it would be to the hole in the wall that you would turn when in need of some money, so the banks closed. But with an increasing number of cashpoints now charging or being removed altogether, it can be difficult to actually get hold of money. New research from the consumer group Which? indicates the one in 10 free UK cashpoints have either closed or started to charge since 2018. Anabel Hoult of Which? and Natalie Ceeney of the Access to Cash Review have written to chancellor Sajid Javid to urge the government to protect these vital services. Their view has been echoed by Mike Cherry, the national chairman of the Federation of Small The truth about diets The Japanese eat very little fat and suffer fewer heart attacks than the British or Americans. The French eat a lot of fat and also suffer fewer heart attacks than the British or Americans. The Japanese drink very little red wine and suffer fewer heart attacks than the British or Americans. The Italians drink excessive amounts of red wine and also suffer fewer heart attacks than the British or Americans. Conclusion: Eat and drink what you like. It’s speaking English that kills you l
Business, who says millions of small businesses have customers who deal only in cash. “Often these customers are among society’s most vulnerable: the elderly, those on tight budgets and those with disabilities,” Mr Cherry said. “It’s vital that banks, regulators and the government work together to arrest the decline of our cash network. “Otherwise we risk yet another blow to our high streets: reduced footfall as bank branches and ATMs are lost and less cashflow in local economies. “There’s no silver bullet here. The drop in ATM interchange fee certainly seems to have had an impact, but we need to think bigger and more collaboratively when addressing this challenge. “More bank branches need to become community centres – providing meeting rooms, cafes and digital facilities alongside in-person banking support. “The Post Office also has a role to play, and more should be done to improve and standardise its banking offer across locations. “Then there are tax incentives to consider – to date, our regressive business rates system has not been kind to shop owners who decide to host a cashpoint and thereby provide a vital public service” l The stockbroker A stockbroker fell overboard from a friend’s sailboat. The friend grabbed a life preserver, held it up,
not knowing if the banker could swim, and shouted, “Can you float alone?” “Obviously,” the broker replied, “but this is a really strange time to talk business” l
8 | September 2019 | www. punchline-gloucester .com
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