For whatever reason lots of perfectly normal, prefectly nice people DON'T have bank accounts Madarlow, not just "tramps" and the over 95's. Also some people need to put money into other people's hands for Christmas because certain members of their own families might have issues and will screw it up for the rest. There's no danger if you are on a low income and get into financial difficulties of it getting swallowed up in an overdraft and the bank nabbing it etc etc etc, the list of reasons why is endless. I'm amazed that so many of you have either always had too much, or have forgotten what it's like to be poor. I certainly haven't forgotten, and this is a considereable blow to people who've saved all year on a limited income. A bit of compassion rather than smugness wouldn't go amiss once in a while would it?