Will a cashless society exclude vulnerable adults? Senedd to debate
The Welsh Parliament is set to debate the findings of the Petitions Committee’s report, “A Cashless Society?”, which addresses growing concerns about the impact of a move away from cash payments on vulnerable adults.
he report, prompted by a petition from Mencap Cymru, highlights the need for measures to ensure people with learning disabilities and other vulnerable groups can continue to access essential goods and services using cash.
The Welsh Government responded to the Committee’s report in July, rejecting one recommendation outright but accepting the remaining four, either in full or in part.
Banking Access and Vulnerable Communities
One of the key issues raised by the report is the increasing difficulty for individuals and businesses to access cash and banking services due to the closure of physical banks.
The Committee recommended that the Welsh Government take action to maintain access to community-based banking facilities.
In response, the government acknowledged the importance of this issue, expressing support for the continued rollout of shared banking hubs, which offer essential cash services in communities that have lost traditional banking outlets.
Currently, Cash Access UK lists 11 banking hubs in Wales, with only six of them operational, two of which are temporary.
Despite this support for banking hubs, the Welsh Government did not mention its previous commitment to creating a Community Bank for Wales, first proposed in its Programme for Government.
Banc Cambria, the initiative backed by the government to establish such a bank, has yet to materialise, prompting questions about progress on this promise.
Financial Exclusion in a Cashless Society
A key recommendation from the Petitions Committee was that the Welsh Government work with learning disability organisations, older people’s groups, and the business community to develop a public education campaign.
This would aim to raise awareness of how a cashless society could leave some people excluded.
The Welsh Government partially accepted this recommendation, stating that it already collaborates with third-sector organisations to ensure the financial rights of vulnerable individuals are upheld.
The government’s response also mentioned that the Disability Rights Taskforce, which was tasked with reviewing the rights and needs of disabled individuals, has completed its initial meetings.
However, there have been delays, with Co-Chair of the Taskforce noting in September that progress has been slower than anticipated.
Concerns Over Bank Closures
The broader issue of bank closures continues to affect Welsh communities.
According to a 2021 Senedd Research article, many parts of Wales have seen a sharp reduction in bank branches, creating challenges for those who depend on face-to-face banking.
Vulnerable groups, particularly those with limited digital literacy or access, are increasingly finding themselves at risk of financial exclusion.
Moving Forward
As the Senedd prepares to debate the issue on 22 October, questions remain over whether the Welsh Government’s current measures are enough to prevent vulnerable adults from being left behind in a cashless society.
The debate will focus on how the government can balance the needs of those reliant on cash with the growing trend towards digital payments.
For now, the majority of the Welsh Government’s responses indicate a commitment to protecting vulnerable citizens, but challenges around access to physical banking services, delays in the Disability Rights Taskforce’s work, and the lack of progress on the Community Bank for Wales leave many uncertainties about how a cashless society will affect the most vulnerable.
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