Average cash machine withdrawals hit weekend records after government emergency advice
Link says the typical amount taken out on Saturday was the highest for any Saturday in its records, while retailers report jumps in sales of torches, radios and tinned food.
People took larger sums than usual out of cash machines over the weekend, according to Link, which runs the UK's main ATM network. It said the pattern suggested some households had acted on government advice to keep supplies, including cash, at home in case of an emergency.
The average withdrawal on Saturday was about £95, against roughly £90 a week earlier. Link said that was the highest average it had ever recorded for a Saturday. On Sunday the figure was just over £90, the first time a Sunday average had passed that mark. Friday's average was a little over £100, the highest for a Friday since July.
The total amount of money withdrawn did not rise. Link counted £204 million taken from its machines on Saturday, 11% less than on the same day last year, and put the fall down to the stormy weather keeping people indoors. Fewer people used the machines, but those who did took out more.
The advice behind it
Last week the government launched its Be Ready campaign, which asks households to be able to cope for three days if power, water, phones or the internet are disrupted by events such as severe weather, a cyber attack or conflict.
Its checklist suggests nine litres of water per person, non-perishable food, a torch, a battery-powered or wind-up FM radio, a charged power bank, a first aid kit, copies of important documents and some cash. Card terminals and cash machines both need electricity and a data connection to work.
Link said it seemed likely that at least some of the extra withdrawals were linked to the campaign, although it did not claim the data proved it.
Shops see a rush on basics
Retailers have reported similar behaviour. According to figures gathered by BBC Newsnight, Iceland's sales of tinned products rose 40% over the weekend and Robert Dyas sold 160% more radios than the week before. At Maplin, comparing the days since the announcement with the same period a month earlier, sales of torches rose 284%, radios 92% and power banks 106%.
Smaller specialist sellers of emergency kit told the programme their orders had multiplied several times over.
Many of the suggested items, such as torches and spare batteries, are things people already keep for power cuts. Anyone who relies on electrically powered medical equipment can ask their electricity network operator to add them to the free Priority Services Register, which brings extra help during outages.
