More people without bank accounts

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

In 2004, the Government agreed a goal with the major UK retail banks to halve the number of adults without access to an account from 2.8 million to 1.4 million.

After significant progress brought the number of "unbanked" below 2 million in 2005/06, it has begun to rise again to 2.09 million adults in 2006/07, according to the latest figures.

This represents 4.5% of the adult population of the UK, and a rise of 120,000 compared with the previous year. Some 1.37 million households - 5.3% of the total - had no bank accounts in 2006/07.

However, the Treasury said the change was within the margin of error for the survey, and it would be "unwise to draw firm conclusions" from the rise at this stage.

Adam Clark, banking project co-ordinator at the financial inclusion charity Toynbee Hall, said: "Not having access to a bank account often means paying more for gas, electricity and other bills because you have to use expensive key meters and cannot set up direct debits which qualify for discounts.

"Getting a job can be difficult too, because many employers insist on paying wages directly into a bank account."