Consumers shun cash to avoid Covid

A third of UK adults are avoiding using cash because of the risk of spreading the Coronavirus, according to a report.

The research from Gocompare Money found that since the UK went into lockdown, the use of ‘tap and go’ cards and online payments have outstripped the use of bank notes and coins. Meanwhile, 27 per cent of those surveyed said they have not shopped with cash at all during the pandemic

The survey found that 76 per cent of consumers have used a contactless credit or debit card, 61 per cent have made a Paypal payment, 17 per cent have used a smartphone payment system and 15 per cent have used Bacs.

Just under one in ten of people used a contactless card for the first time during lockdown, while seven per cent made a payment with their phone for the first time.