Northern Ireland most cash heavy part of UK - report

Northern Ireland is the most cash heavy part of the UK, according to the UK's largest cash machine network.

Link reported that banking customers in Northern Ireland withdrew an average of £2,266 in 2022, up from £2,070 in 2021 but down from the 2020 figure of £2,931.

The UK average in 2022 was £1,564.

A director at the Consumer Council said the figures reinforce a trend of consumers here using cash more than their Great Britain counterparts.

Scott Kennerly said this had been the case for a number of years.

No return to pre-pandemic levels

"Our higher use of cash could be for a number of reasons, such as trying to budget or being less confident with out money," he added.

"Having the cash in your hand and knowing what you have left to spend can sometimes be a simple way of budgeting, which is increasingly important to people in the current climate."

Cash machine network Link said it does not believe the use of cash machines will return to pre-pandemic levels, partly explained by a rise in the number of fee-charging units.

Graham Mott, Link's director of strategy, said very few people are completely cashless in their money use.

"We also know that people are visiting cash machines less often, but on average take out more cash," he continued.

Mr Mott added that UK-wide figures revealed more than five million people "rely on access to cash and face-to-face banking services".