The number of people mainly using cash for day-to-day spending hit a four year high during the cost of living crisis, research suggests.

Some 1.5 million adults mainly used cash in 2023 - marking the first rise since 2019, according to UK Finance.

UK Finance’s head of research Adrian Buckle said: “This is likely to be a reflection of the use of cash to manage a limited budget.”

But the data from the banking trade body also showed the majority of young people paid for things using smartphones or watches.

Nearly three-quarters (72%) of 18 to 24-year-olds regularly used their digital wallets to make contactless payments.

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There has been a steady decline in payments using cash over the last decade, particularly as consumers turn to contactless cards for everyday purchases.

A slight rise in 2022 was attributed to the impact of sharply rising prices, squeezed finances and closely-watched budgets.

Cash use dropped again last year to 12% of all payments, according to UK Finance, and 22 million consumers were primarily cashless.

However, the research suggests 1.5 million mainly used cash in 2023, up from 900,000 the previous year, reflecting the ongoing impact of the cost of living on those with limited incomes.