News that the contactless limit for card payments is to increase from its current level of £45 to £100 - an amount that will cover significantly more transactions for many individuals, perhaps including a full weekly shop for the first time.

Technology of this nature is to be welcomed in many ways - it promotes greater access to day to day activities for many people for whom the requirements of a PIN number are limiting - whether due to memory issues, dexterity or fine motor problems meaning that the standard shop keypads are too small to accommodate their needs in terms in terms of tapping keys.

Contactless technology means that these issues will often be able to be removed, enabling those with issues preventing their currently regular, direct use of payment methods, to participate in a full transaction with less or perhaps no support. Any technology promoting greater inclusivity is of course to be welcomed and will no doubt bring with it mental health benefits for those previously negatively impacted or excluded from making payments.

I know for many of my clients, the ability to be involved in the whole process of a purchase transaction will bring a great sense of achievement and simply being able to live their lives as others do will be welcomed with open arms.  

Of course, the benefits of such technology must always be balanced against the increased risk of fraud and theft. With greater accessibility, there is greater ease for fraudsters and unscrupulous individuals to take advantage - especially of vulnerable individuals.

However, with ongoing advances in technology, it is to be hoped that increasing ease of use can be readily matched with appropriate anti-fraud and anti-theft measures to enable the best balance between accessibility and risk management to be struck and inclusivity and access to be readily available in this and in so many other areas.