In new figures, the bank found that users spent around £3,327 per person, while a record 91.2 per cent of all eligible transactions were made using the technology. In 2021, the spending limit for contactless payments in the UK rose to £100 from £45 as consumers were encouraged to use contactless in the wake of the Covid pandemic.
Contactless payments have been soaring in popularity in recent years to the detriment of cash, but figures released last year showed that the number of cash payments plummeted even faster in 2021.
Barclays said that Northern Ireland and Scotland are the fastest growing regions for contactless usage.
While all sectors saw an increase in the total value of contactless transactions, spending more than doubled in the hotels, resorts & accommodation category. There was also robust growth in electronics, bars, pubs & clubs, restaurants and clothing.
Rapid growth was also found in the value of mobile wallet contactless payments...