A SURVEY into how people use cash and how they access their own money has been launched by MPs.

Concerns about bank branch closures and the rise in digital payments leaving those who are dependent on using cash unable to withdraw money have led to the investigation by the Scottish Affairs Committee at Westminster.

Digital and card payments for goods has increased to account for 51 percent of all transactions but still many people rely on using cash for essential purchases.

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With more ATMs charging for withdrawals and some communities having no access to cash the survey is intended to gather information on how difficult it is for those who are affected.

It asks how regularly people make cash payments and how ­often they withdraw money and from where.

People are asked their views on the UK becoming a cashless society and how the declining use of cash for purchases affects their daily life.

Pete Wishart MP, Scottish Affairs Committee Chair, said: “In the seven years between 2015 and 2022, the majority of banks that existed on Scottish high streets closed their doors for good.

“Throughout the UK, Scotland has experienced the highest proportion of bank ­closures.

“Our Committee is fully aware that the bank closures and challenges to accessing cash will hit many communities hard, and that is why we have opened this survey today. We want to hear from people throughout Scotland how they are finding the transition to more digital payments for goods, and what, if anything, the UK Government can do to ensure they can still access the money they need.”

Richard Pidgin, of Consumer magazine Which?, told the committee of the scale of the issue.

He said in 2015 there were 1040 bank branches in Scotland and since then, 554 have closed or are scheduled to close this year, which leaves 486 that remain, meaning 53% of Scotland’s bank branches have closed in the past seven years.

Also, since 2018, more than 20 percent of Scotland’s free-to-use ATMs have closed.

He added: “ If we look at Glasgow North East, seven of the constituency’s eight branches have closed since 2015.”