By Basant El-Faramawy
British cash withdrawals from ATMs reached a record average of £106.20 on Friday, the highest ever recorded outside of Christmas Eve, as the public responded to government advice to stockpile cash for emergencies.
Record ATM withdrawals
Data from Link, the UK's cash machine network, showed the weekly average withdrawal topped £100 for the first time outside the Christmas period, reaching £100.78. On the day the guidance was published, 22 October, total withdrawals hit £205 million, 3% higher than the same day last year.
Government 'Be Ready' campaign
The surge follows the Labour government's "Be Ready" campaign, which urges households to keep a three-day supply of cash, water, and food in case of cyber attacks or other disruptions. Retailers have also reported spikes in sales of tinned food, wind-up radios, and torches.
Official responses
Graham Mott, director of strategy at Link, said the campaign prompted a busier week at ATMs than expected, with people taking considerably more cash per visit. He noted Friday's average had only ever been beaten by Christmas Eve. Defence Secretary Wes Streeting welcomed the public's engagement, telling BBC Newsnight that having everyday essentials at home helps households prepare for flooding, power cuts, or burst pipes. The government also advises creating household emergency plans and connecting with community networks. Laura Scott, British Red Cross director for UK Resilience, said clear and trusted advice could reduce the impact of crises and save lives, especially for at-risk groups. The government said it drew on best practices from countries including France and Ireland.
