Hartlepool

In a stunning twist, cash payments surged for the first time in ten years as Britons grappled with skyrocketing costs. Yet, the mighty debit card reigns supreme, commanding half of all transactions and hitting a record high.

As wallets tighten, cash is crowned the people's choice for budgeting. UK Finance reveals a fascinating shift: while nearly 22 million people sparingly touched cash, less than a million swore by it. Debit cards, beloved for their contactless convenience, saw a monumental rise, fueled by the new hybrid work era and a sharp decline in season ticket sales.