A survey commissioned by cash access network Link has revealed that a significant number of people in the UK are preparing for major disruptive events by stashing essential items at home. The research, conducted by YouGov in March, found that 17% of respondents keep physical cash at home, while nearly half (49%) have a battery-powered torch and 47% store tinned goods. Additionally, 37% have a charged power bank to keep their phones operational during an outage.
The study, which polled over 2,100 people across the UK, highlighted growing public concern over threats such as cyber attacks, natural disasters, and IT failures. Graham Mott, director of strategy at Link, noted: “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.”
Despite the increase in emergency preparedness, cash usage has declined. Around 61% of respondents said they had used cash in the previous two weeks, down from 69% in 2025 and 73% in 2024. Contactless cards (42%) and mobile phones (30%) are now the preferred payment methods for everyday purchases. However, 10% of people described themselves as “fully cashless,” while 13% still prefer cash, including 16% of those aged 55 and over.
The survey also found that 45% of people find it inconvenient when businesses do not accept cash, and 56% do not expect to go cashless within the next year. Among those who used cash recently, supermarkets, convenience stores, cafes, and pubs were the most common places, along with giving money to friends and family. However, cash use at convenience stores has declined since the last survey in June 2025.
When asked why they avoid going fully cashless, 61% cited the importance of low-value and person-to-person payments, while 56% said cash is vital during digital payment outages. Mott emphasised: “Cash continues to play an important role in the UK’s payment landscape. While digital payments 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.”
