The programme is introduced by John Edwards and today looks at the high number of British workers who are still paid with a weekly cash pay packet. Eleven million people are still paid in this way and workers retain the right to cash due to a Victorian law that was originally passed to prevent employers paying in goods or tokens. In a film report Keith Wootton visits the Bulmers cider factory in Hereford where managers have set up a scheme to encourage workers to switch to bank payments. Shots of workers queuing for wage packets at Bulmers and the arrival of a Securicor man carrying the weekly pay roll. Shots of cider production. Interview with the Bulmers financial controller, Brian Carver on the benefits of the new system to the firm (the potentially risky cash delivery ends and the company can keep more reserves in the bank if paying monthly). Shots of staff at meeting to explain new system and watching a video. Interview with shop steward Eddie McMenamin on the negotiations that were needed for the new system. Interviews with workers who prefer to receive cash weekly and also talk about their fear of banks. Interview with John Lloyd of Nat West who have installed a mini branch at Bulmers to aid workers. Shots of workers signing up to new scheme and more interviews with staff who were given a cash incentive to join.
Back in the studio Edwards talks to Michael Lafferty of Retail Banking International and Alastair Thompson of Barclays Bank about the future of money and pay. Banks are blamed for the slow take-up of monthly pay as it is claimed that they have no interest in the average worker and Lafferty predicts that cash will disappear over the next forty years and talks about French experiments in banking via television screens. Edwards ends the programme by showing an example of the new 20p coin due to be issued soon.
Film Camera: Noel Smart
Film Sound: Mel Marr
Film Editors: John McNelly
Graphics: John Hunt
Music: Vangelis
Production Team: Sue Boyers; Alison Mitchell; Patsy Wood
Reporter: Keith Wootton
Film Director: David Dunn
Studio Director: Roger Casstles
Producer: Graham Mole
Edited and Presented by John Edwards
Proction number 1173/82.