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Monday 04 April 2016 5:53 am

Here’s how we’re spending with contactless since the limit went up to £30

By: Lynsey Barber

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Millions of pounds have been spent by people simply swiping a card or mobile device after an increase to the limit on how much people can spend using contactless pay.

There have been 36m cashless transactions worth nearly £900m since the limit went up from £20 to £30 in September last year.

Transactions between £20 and £30 have grown at a rate of 19.1 per cent, on average, over the past five months, almost twice the rate of those under £20, which grew at eight per cent over the same period. 

Read more: Visa contactless soars 250pc

The use of contactless in the higher bracket now accounts for more than 10 per cent of all face-to-face card transactions within that band, according to Visa Europe, which has revealed its first figures on cashless spending since the limit went up.

The initial figures suggest it's restaurants and supermarkets where people are taking advantage the most – all cashless transactions increased 155 per cent and 100 per cent respectively, as more bills fell into the new bracket. Contactless use at Bars and pubs is also on the up, growing on average 30 per cent each week.

Read more: London had 1m contactless journeys in a single day

"While the number of transactions continues to grow, we are already seeing the next generation payment technology arrive, with mobile and wearable payment services bedding in," said Visa Europe managing director Kevin Jenkins. "Where the convenience and safety of making a contactless payment is available, consumers are eager to be cash free and proud.”

Overall, contactless spending has rocketed 237 per cent year-on-year.

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