Cash payments are likely to be here to stay, despite the rising popularity of plastic cards, a survey shows.

Commissioned by the ATM operator Bank Machine, the research suggests there are many activities people rely on cash payments for, including transactions involving street retailers and local newsagents.

Ron Delnevo, managing director of Bank Machine, said: "Cash is here to stay because – despite dubious tactics used by the card schemes to force us into electronic payment methods – the British public simply won’t be told what to do."

He also emphasised the importance of not giving in to systems which the public do not need or simply cannot afford.

The study names several factors which impact the amount of cash used as payment, including the introduction of contactless debit cards and mobile payment technology.

It also highlights the decline in acceptance of cheques and card marketing schemes as potential pressures on cash usage.

According to the latest quarterly statistical release from APACS, the UK Payments Association, plastic card spending is up 5.4 per cent from this time last year, reaching a total of £94.2 billion.