A UNION has backed the UK Government’s plans to protect cash but warns that the campaign must not be used to cut free-to-use ATMs.

Proposals announced by ministers on Thursday revealed that people will be able to get cashback from shops without needing to purchase an item.

The plan follows the news that free-to-use cash points have seen a decrease in use of over 23 per cent between 2018 and August 2020.

The GMB Union hopes that the move to keep cash alive will not be an ‘excuse’ to cut back on free-use ATMs

Roger Jenkins GMB National Officer said: “The proposal from the Government is welcome and it is good to see the Treasury acknowledge that more needs to be done to save cash. However the devil is in the detail and we await action not just words.”