Shops may be forced to accept cash again as blackout fears loom over Britain Recent blackouts in Spain and Portugal have forced MPs to reevaluate Britain's push to a cashless society Blackout fears may force Britain to keep cash (Image: Barclaycard/PA ) The recent blackouts across Spain, Portugal and Europe, along with cyber attacks targeted at major brands, have forced a reevaluation of Britain marching into a cashless society, according to a new report. In a recent Commons treasury committee meeting, MPs have highlighted the necessity of cash in these situations as they warned against businesses turning their backs on physical cash payments. ‌ The Treasury Committee report said: "There may come a time in the future where it becomes necessary for HM Treasury to mandate cash acceptance if appropriate safeguards have not been implemented for those who need physical cash." ‌ Read more: Martin Lewis' MSE shares 3 digits you must dial when facing a scam If such a mandate were to come into effect, Britain would likely not be the first, as Australia and some parts of the EU are planning requirements to accept cash for essential services in some circumstances. However, in evidence to the inquiry, a government minister said there were no plans to make cash acceptance mandatory and shops and services remained free to accept whichever form of cash they preferred. Article continues below Chair of the Treasury Select Committee, Dame Meg Hillier MP said: “The Government is in the dark on how widely cash is being accepted and that is completely unsustainable. "We are at risk of a two-tier society where the most vulnerable bear the brunt and this needs to be a wakeup call. “As a society, we must avoid sleepwalking into a situation where cash is no longer widely accepted. ‌ "This is the beginning, not the end, of our scrutiny of this issue. The Government needs to take this seriously.” Later, a Treasury spokesman told the Telegraph: “Cash continues to be used by millions of people across the UK, and we are working with the banks to roll out 350 hubs by the end of this Parliament so that people and businesses in areas that have lost local bank branches still have access to it. “We welcome businesses who do want to continue accepting cash, and new rules introduced by the Financial Conduct Authority support this by helping them to make deposits.” Article continues below UK Finance research from January, 2025, has shown that 39% of adults have already turned to an almost entirely cashless life. Additionally, at the current rate at which adults in this country are ditching cash, the research predicted that cash payments in the UK will continue to decline. It found that by 2031, cash will account for just 6% of all payments.