Areas with fastest and slowest declines in ATM withdrawals since pandemic revealed

More deprived areas moving away from cash at a slower pace, ATM network link reports

Banking customers across the UK are withdrawing around £100 million less from ATMs every day compared with pre-pandemic levels, according to new data from the cash machine network Link.

The analysis found that in 2019, a total of £116 billion was withdrawn from Link ATMs across the country. However, by 2024, this figure had dropped by 31%, with approximately £80 billion being withdrawn last year.

Every UK parliamentary constituency has seen a decline in ATM withdrawals since 2019. However, the data highlights a trend where more deprived areas and those with lower levels of digital access are moving away from cash at a slower rate compared with more affluent regions.

Even in the most remote constituencies, at least £400,000 was still withdrawn from ATMs every month in 2024, showing that cash remains essential for some communities.

Impact of the pandemic on cash usage

John Howells, Link’s chief executive, noted that the pandemic significantly changed people’s financial habits, accelerating the shift towards digital payments.

“Covid changed how we live, how we work, and for many people, how we manage our cash,” he said.

However, he also highlighted the risk of excluding vulnerable groups who rely on cash for everyday transactions.

“The fact that areas which are more deprived are moving away from cash more slowly is a timely reminder that we cannot afford to leave anyone behind.

“We need to focus more on digital inclusion as part of how technology is rolled out across the UK.”

Areas with the fastest declines in ATM withdrawals

According to Link’s analysis, some of the biggest falls in cash withdrawals have been recorded in major cities, including London, Edinburgh, Bristol, and Sheffield. These areas tend to have higher levels of digital adoption, with people increasingly using contactless payments and online banking.

Here are the 20 UK parliamentary constituencies with the fastest declines in ATM withdrawals between 2019 and 2024:

1. Bristol Central – 67%
2. Edinburgh North and Leith – 67%
3. Cities of London and Westminster – 66%
4. Edinburgh South – 65%
5. Holborn and St Pancras – 65%
6. Edinburgh East and Musselburgh – 64%
7. Glasgow North – 64%
8. Sheffield Central – 64%
9. York Central – 64%
10. Leeds Central and Headingley – 63%
11. Oxford West and Abingdon – 62%
12. Islington South and Finsbury – 61%
13. Edinburgh West – 61%
14. Wimbledon – 61%
15. Brighton Pavilion – 61%
16. Winchester – 60%
17. Bath – 60%
18. Edinburgh South West – 60%
19. Cardiff South and Penarth – 60%
20. Nottingham East – 60%

Areas with the slowest declines in ATM withdrawals

At the other end of the spectrum, some areas—particularly those with higher deprivation levels and less access to digital banking services—have seen a much slower shift away from cash. Many of these regions are in the Midlands, Northern England, and Northern Ireland, where cash still plays a crucial role in day-to-day transactions.

Here are the 20 UK parliamentary constituencies with the slowest declines in ATM withdrawals:

1. Weald of Kent – 22%
2. Leicester East – 27%
3. West Tyrone – 28%
4. Knowsley – 28%
5. Bradford South – 29%
6. Mid Ulster – 29%
7. Kingston upon Hull East – 30%
8. Birmingham Yardley – 30%
9. Wolverhampton South East – 31%
10. Belfast West – 31%
11. Hartlepool – 31%
12. Bradford East – 32%
13. Merthyr Tydfil and Aberdare – 32%
14. Middlesbrough South and East Cleveland – 32%
15. Easington – 32%
16. Fermanagh and South Tyrone – 32%
17. Birmingham Perry Barr – 33%
18. Birmingham Hodge Hill and Solihull North – 33%
19. Blaenau Gwent and Rhymney – 33%
20. North Durham – 33%

The future of cash in the UK

While the decline in ATM withdrawals highlights the UK’s increasing shift towards a cashless society, Link’s report underlines the importance of ensuring financial inclusion for those who still depend on cash.

The government and financial institutions have been urged to take further action to protect access to cash, particularly for vulnerable groups, elderly citizens, and those in rural areas with limited banking services.

Despite the drop in overall cash usage, there is still demand for cash services, and many communities continue to rely on ATMs for their daily spending.

With £80 billion still being withdrawn annually, it remains clear that cash is not disappearing completely—at least, not yet.