People storing cash, torches and tinned food in case of emergencies - full list

Summary

Millions of people are storing cash, torches, and tinned food for emergencies. Survey data shows 49% have torches, 47% tinned goods, and 17% cash. Digital payments are rising, but cash remains important for budgeting and resilience.

Key Takeaways

1. Millions of people are storing items such as physical cash, torches and tinned goods at home so that they could turn to them in the event of an emergency.
2. With rising public concern about threats like power outages, cyber attacks and disruption to card payments, more people are prepping by keeping some emergency cash at home.
3. The latest research found that contactless cards (42%) and using a phone (30%) are the preferred methods for people making day-to-day payments in-store.

Statement Breakdown

• Claimed Facts: 60% of statements the article presents as facts
• Opinions: 30% of statements classified as editorial or subjective
• Claims: 10% of statements surfaced for additional reader evaluation

Credibility & Bias Reasoning

Credibility assessment: The article relies on survey data from a reputable polling firm (YouGov) commissioned by a financial network (Link). While the data is presented directly, the interpretation and framing lean towards a narrative of public anxiety. The lack of direct expert commentary beyond a Link representative limits broader validation.

Bias assessment: Anxiety-Driven Preparedness Narrative. The article emphasizes public anxiety and emergency preparedness, framing everyday preparations as responses to potential catastrophic events. It highlights concerns about cyber attacks and power outages, creating a sense of urgency and potential crisis.

Note: This article presents survey data on emergency preparedness. While based on a poll, the framing emphasizes potential crises, so consider the underlying anxieties driving these preparations.

Credibility flag: Caution: Anxiety-Framed Data

Claimed Facts (10)

• This is a direct statement of fact derived from a survey.
• This provides specific, quantifiable data points from the survey.
• This states a factual detail about the survey's timing and scope.
• This is a direct statistical finding from the survey.
• This presents comparative data points over time, attributed to Link.
• This presents specific findings on payment method preferences.
• This is a direct statistical finding from the research.
• This provides specific demographic data on cash preference.
• This is a direct finding from the survey regarding inconvenience.
• This presents a forecast based on survey responses.

Opinions (5)

• This is a subjective statement about the significance of cash, presented as an opinion by the source.
• This statement expresses a viewpoint on why people continue to use cash, highlighting values.
• The use of 'interesting' indicates a subjective interpretation of the data.
• This statement connects public concern to the action of prepping, framing it as a direct consequence.
• This is a broad, interpretative statement that frames the survey findings with a sense of impending crisis.

Claims (5)

• While presented as a fact, the term 'preferred methods' can be subjective and might not capture the full nuance of payment choices, especially if cash is still used for certain transactions not covered by 'in-store'.
• The phrasing 'vital in the event of digital payment outages' implies a certainty of need that might be an overstatement for some, though it reflects survey responses.
• The years 2025 and 2024 are in the future, indicating a potential typo or error in the article's data reporting.
• The mention of June 2025 as a past date is a clear chronological error, suggesting a data reporting issue.
• The article mentions the survey was carried out in March, but the publication date is May 11, 2026. This temporal discrepancy raises questions about the recency and accuracy of the data presented.

Key Sources

• Author — Mirror.co.uk
• Link — Cash access and ATM network
• Graham Mott — Director of strategy at Link
• YouGov — Polling firm