Cash usage in the UK has increased for the first time in a decade, according to the British Retail Consortium. The consortium reported that 19% of purchases were made with cash last year, up from 15% the previous year. This trend is attributed to shoppers closely monitoring their budgets as prices rise. The increase in cash usage comes as the UK government proposes new rules to ensure access to cash. Under these rules, banks will be fined if they cannot provide cash withdrawal or deposit services. The government aims to ensure that free access to cash is available within one mile in urban areas and three miles in rural areas.

The rise in cash usage reflects consumers' careful budgeting in response to the cost of living pressures. The pandemic also played a role in the return to cash, as it had declined during that time. However, the consortium noted that card payments still dominate, and cash usage is expected to decline in the future. Retailers continue to face increasing fees for accepting card payments. In September, UK Finance reported a similar increase in cash usage, but predicted a decline once the current financial squeeze eases. Despite this, there is still pressure to ensure access to cash as bank branches and ATMs close.

To address concerns about access to cash, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has proposed new rules for banks and building societies. These rules require them to assess and address gaps in local cash provision. The FCA aims to prevent people and businesses from facing unreasonable costs or difficulties in accessing their money. Lenders will be required to provide additional cash services to fill gaps in access, taking into account factors such as transport links and the age of the local population. The FCA's goal is to manage the pace of change and ensure that people can continue to access cash if needed.

The proposed rules come after the FCA was granted new powers by the Financial Services and Markets Act 2023. However, these powers do not allow the FCA to prevent bank branches from closing. The FCA acknowledges that while digital payments are increasing, there are still over three million consumers who rely on cash, particularly vulnerable individuals. The new rules aim to strike a balance between the shift to digital payments and the continued need for cash access. The FCA invites individuals to share their experiences with cash usage and access by contacting them.

Original news source: Shopping with cash rises for first time in a decade (BBC)

– News Summary
Instructions: Divide the class into pairs or small groups. Give each group a few minutes to read the article. Then, ask them to write a brief summary of the main points of the article. Afterward, have each group share their summaries with the class.
– Opinion Poll
Instructions: Prepare a list of questions related to the topic of cash usage in the UK. Divide the class into pairs or small groups and give each group a set of questions. Instruct them to discuss the questions and record their opinions. Afterward, have each group share their opinions with the class and facilitate a class discussion based on the different viewpoints.
– Vocabulary Pictionary
Instructions: Prepare a list of vocabulary words related to the article. Divide the class into teams and give each team a different word. Instruct them to draw a picture that represents the word and have their teammates guess the word within a time limit. The team that guesses the most words correctly wins.
– Pros and Cons
Instructions: Divide the class into two groups. Assign one group the task of listing the pros of using cash, and assign the other group the task of listing the cons. Give each group time to brainstorm and write down their ideas. Afterward, have each group present their lists to the class and facilitate a class discussion comparing the advantages and disadvantages of using cash.
– Future Predictions
Instructions: Instruct the students to imagine themselves in the year 2030. Ask them to write a short paragraph or give a brief presentation predicting the future of cash usage in the UK based on the information in the article. Encourage them to consider factors such as technology advancements, changing consumer behavior, and government regulations. Afterward, have a class discussion to share and compare their predictions.

Cash usage in the UK has increased for the first time in a decade, according to the British Retail Consortium. The consortium reported that 19% of purchases were made with cash last year, up from 15% the previous year. This trend is ? to shoppers closely monitoring their budgets as prices rise. The increase in cash usage ? as the UK government proposes new rules to ensure access to cash. Under these rules, banks will be fined if they cannot provide cash withdrawal or ? services. The government aims to ensure that free access to cash is ? within one mile in urban areas and three miles in rural areas. The rise in cash usage reflects consumers' careful budgeting in ? to the cost of living pressures. The pandemic also played a role in the return to cash, as it had declined during that time. However, the consortium noted that card payments still dominate, and cash usage is expected to decline in the ?. Retailers continue to face ? fees for accepting card payments. In September, UK Finance reported a ? increase in cash usage, but predicted a decline once the current financial squeeze eases. Despite this, there is still pressure to ensure access to cash as bank branches and ATMs close. To address concerns about access to cash, the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) has proposed new rules for banks and building societies. These rules require them to assess and address gaps in local cash provision. The FCA aims to prevent people and ? from facing unreasonable costs or difficulties in ? their money. Lenders will be required to provide additional cash ? to fill gaps in access, taking into account factors such as transport ? and the age of the local population. The FCA's goal is to manage the pace of change and ensure that people can continue to access cash if needed. The proposed rules come after the FCA was granted new powers by the ? Services and Markets Act 2023. However, these powers do not allow the FCA to prevent bank branches from closing. The FCA acknowledges that while ? ? are increasing, there are still over three million consumers who rely on cash, particularly vulnerable ?. The new rules aim to strike a balance between the shift to digital payments and the continued need for cash access. The FCA invites individuals to share their experiences with cash usage and access by contacting them.

1. What are some reasons why people still prefer to use cash for their purchases?
2. How would you feel if you had to travel a long distance just to access an ATM or bank branch?
3. Do you like using cash for your purchases? Why or why not?
4. What do you think are the advantages of using cash instead of card payments?
5. How do you budget your expenses? Do you find it easier to budget with cash or card payments?
6. Do you think it's important for the government to ensure access to cash? Why or why not?
7. Have you noticed any changes in your own cash usage during the pandemic? Why do you think that is?
8. What challenges do you think vulnerable individuals may face if access to cash becomes more limited?
9. How do you think the rise of digital payments has affected businesses that rely on cash transactions?
10. Have you ever experienced difficulties in accessing your money? How did it make you feel?
11. What factors do you think should be considered when assessing gaps in local cash provision?
12. How do you think the proposed rules for banks and building societies will impact access to cash?
13. Do you think it's fair for retailers to face increasing fees for accepting card payments? Why or why not?
14. Have you ever had to change your payment method because a business did not accept cash? How did you feel about it?
15. How do you think the balance between digital payments and cash access can be maintained in the future?

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