New research reveals that a growing number of UK households are actively preparing for potential crises by stockpiling essential items such as physical cash, torches, and tinned goods. The survey, conducted for Link, the UK's main ATM network, indicates that people are taking proactive steps to safeguard themselves against major disruptive events like cyber attacks, natural disasters, or widespread IT failures.
Key findings from the survey
The study, carried out in March, shows that 17 per cent of individuals maintain a stash of cash at home for emergencies. Nearly half (49 per cent) possess a battery-powered torch, while 47 per cent have a supply of tinned goods. Furthermore, 37 per cent ensure they have a charged power bank readily available to keep their mobile phones operational during potential outages.
Graham Mott, director of strategy at Link, commented: "What’s interesting to see in the latest data is the growing role of cash in resilience planning. With rising public concern about threats like power outages, cyber attacks and disruption to card payments, more people are prepping by keeping some emergency cash at home."
Cash usage trends
The same survey also delved into recent cash usage habits among the population. It found that about six in 10 (61 per cent) respondents had used physical currency within the preceding two weeks. This figure marks a continued decline in cash reliance, falling from 69 per cent in 2025 and 73 per cent in 2024, according to Link's analysis.
The latest research found that contactless cards (42 per cent) and using a phone (30 per cent) are the preferred methods for people making day-to-day payments in-store. Link also found that 10 per cent of people said they are “fully cashless”.
Preference for cash remains among some groups
However, more than one in 10 (13 per cent) people still said they prefer to pay in cash, including 16 per cent of people surveyed who are aged 55-plus. Among those who had used cash in the past two weeks, supermarkets, convenience stores, cafes and pubs were the most common places where they had used coins or banknotes, along with giving money to friends and family.
Since the last time similar research was carried out, in June 2025, there has been a drop-off in people saying they used cash at convenience stores in particular, Link said. Some 45 per cent of people surveyed said they find not accepting cash inconvenient.
Future of cash
The majority (56 per cent) of people surveyed do not expect to go cashless in the next 12 months. When asked why people will not go completely cashless, more than six in 10 (61 per cent) said that low-value payments and person-to-person payments are still important and 56 per cent said cash is vital in the event of digital payment outages.
Graham Mott added: "Cash continues to play an important role in the UK’s payment landscape. While digital payments, like cards or increasingly, using your phone, are now the first choice for many, millions of people still rely on cash, not just for budgeting and day‑to‑day purchases, but also because they value choice, privacy and control."
Link commissioned YouGov to survey more than 2,100 people across the UK in March.
