ARE WE SLEEP WALKING INTO A CASHLESS CRISIS?

Money Mail, December 19 SHOULDN’T taxpayers have the choice about whether we become a cashless society? We are already being cajoled into a paperless society without paper statements from our banks and utility providers. D. H., Chippenham, Wilts. POLITICIANS want to force us to abandon cash because it does not leave a footprint of how we spend our money. I’m 86 years old and clued up on technology, but that is unusual for someone my age. J. N., via email. IF WE encourage a cashless society, there will be a huge increase in personal debt. Many people who’ve never used credit cards will start to — then spend more than they can afford. O. E., London. I APPRECIATE the benefits of a cashless system. It makes it harder for businesses to avoid tax and for criminals to launder money, as there is a paper trail. If you carry cash, you are also more likely to be mugged. L. B., Worksop, Notts. I COULD never have got my business off the ground if it wasn’t for hard cash. I once bought a new van from a dealership with a shopping bag full of £20 notes. Ready money talks everyone’s language. C. O., Birmingham. I AM concerned the youngsters of today do not understand the value of money, as they never carry cash. It is all figures on a screen to them. If they had to physically hand it over, they’d think more about it. P. Q., Lichfield, Staffs. I DON’T want to pay by card for everything. I take money out at the ATM every week. How do you buy food without cash when the banking system goes down? It happens regularly these days. F. B., Halifax, West Yorks.