The spending limit on each use of a contactless card is to rise from £45 to £100 from 15 October, banks have revealed.

At the start of the pandemic, the maximum amount was increased from £30 to the current level of £45, and plans to raise it further were announced in the Budget.

Nearly two-thirds of all debit card transactions are made via contactless technology, but academics have warned that raising the limit could increase crime.

When contactless card payments were introduced in 2007, the transaction limit was set at £10. Cards were generally used in this way in place of small change when buying snacks, papers and occasional groceries.

The limit was raised gradually - £20 in 2012, then to £30 in 2015. The pandemic accelerated a move away from cash, with shoppers often being encouraged to use contactless in many stores to reduce close contact between staff and customers.

It meant the government and industry hurriedly increased the limit to £45 and announced plans to raise it again to £100.

Given the number of terminals that will need to be updated to accept the new limit, it's likely to take some time for the new level to be introduced across all retailers.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak said: "Increasing the contactless limit will make it easier than ever to pay safely and securely. As people get back to the High Street, millions of payments will made be simpler, providing a welcome boost for retailers and shoppers."