Shops and firms will not be forced to accept cash

Recommendations will be made in the coming weeks from the Treasury Committee after its inquiry into the acceptance of cash.

Ms Reynolds’ evidence was the final session, but earlier they heard from disadvantaged people who still rely on paying with cash.

Speaking to the BBC after giving evidence, Constantine Louis said he wanted choice over ways to pay.

“For older people, when they use cash, they feel as though they are in control,” said the 84-year-old, who lives in a one-bedroom flat.

“Young people will get older one day and may have the same problems we have – they may start forgetting their Pin numbers.

“For those who get on the bus and pay with their mobile – that’s fine with me. But I can’t do it. I don’t know how to do it.”

Caroline Cawley, from Edinburgh, has a disability and said every penny counted in her life.

“Cash is important for budgeting reasons, mainly,” the 41-year-old said after giving evidence.

“It is much easier to keep tabs of what you’ve got if you have it physically in your purse.”

She said digital payments risked her going overdrawn, and facing unmanageable interest and fees as a result.

Failure to accept cash, which was the case if she wanted to go for a swim at her local leisure centre, was creating “a two-tier society”, she said.