Report highlights UK's spending habits
Published On 23 October 2007
A new report has highlighted regional differences about how people in the UK use financial tools like credit cards and cheques.The UK's payments association, Apacs, found that the south-east of the country has the most credit card holders. In the region, 75 per cent of adults have a credit card, compared to a national average of 67 per cent.
Those living in the north-east are less likely to be regular users of cheques than any other region and adults from the north-west visit cash machines more regularly than anyone else in the country.
Interestingly, people from Scotland are the least likely to pay for goods and services with debit or credit cards via the phone or online.
"Different parts of Britain have long been associated with certain payment stereotypes - whether those are about being overly careful with spending or flash with the cash - and these guide … offer a revealing and interesting look behind the statistics," commented Sandra Quinn, director of communications at Apacs.
"While the national statistics show that as a nation we are generally comfortable with the many types of payment methods available and good at managing our finances, there is always room for improvement.
"We should all be taking advantage of the wealth of payment options out there, so managing our finances is as easy, secure and convenient as possible."
Abbey recently discovered that cashback is the most desired credit card feature in the UK.
