New data from the UK's main cash machine network has revealed a continued decline in the use of physical money, while also pinpointing an unexpected peak day for ATM activity in 2025.
Cash Withdrawals See Steady Annual Decline
According to figures released by Link, the country's leading ATM and cash access network, the total value of cash withdrawn from its machines fell by four per cent last year. The total sum taken out across 2025 reached £76.7 billion, down from the previous year's total. The number of individual transactions saw an even steeper drop, falling by about eight per cent from 1.39 billion in 2024 to 1.27 billion in 2025.
Link's transactions account for a dominant 77 per cent of all ATM activity in the UK, with the remainder mostly comprising withdrawals from a customer's own bank or building society's machines. The average amount taken out per transaction in 2025 was just over £90.
The Surprise Peak Day for Cash
Contrary to expectations, the busiest day for Link's cash machines in 2025 was not Christmas Eve. While the network had predicted December 24 would see the highest volume, the crown was instead taken by December 19. On that Friday, a substantial £355 million was withdrawn, just edging out the £353 million taken out on Christmas Eve itself.
This highlights a shift from historical patterns. The all-time record for the busiest day on the Link network remains December 22, 2017, when a staggering £766 million was accessed by the public.
A Shrinking Network and the Future of Cash
The infrastructure supporting cash access is also contracting. By December 2025, the total number of Link ATMs stood at 42,403, a reduction of roughly five per cent from the 44,569 available in December 2024. Of the current total, 33,710 machines are free to use, while 8,693 charge a fee. This represents a significant long-term change; back in 2010, the majority of machines were free, with 41,581 free-to-use compared to 21,687 pay-to-use.
Despite the clear downward trend, industry leaders stress that cash remains a crucial part of the financial landscape. Graham Mott, Director of Strategy at Link, commented: "Cash remains important to many people and £76 billion was still withdrawn from Link ATMs last year." He noted that while people may be visiting ATMs less frequently and some are opting for fully digital payments, "cash continues to be a vital budgeting tool for many. It remains an essential and resilient payment choice for millions."
The data presents a nuanced picture of the UK's journey towards a potential cashless society. While digital adoption grows and ATM use falls, physical money still sees significant demand, particularly around key calendar dates, and continues to serve as an indispensable financial tool for a large portion of the population.
