[danielf]

I don't see the problem really. They will probably be phased out, with a charge being levied at some point. Traders can carry mobile chip & pin devices, so you can pay by Debit Card, which won't incur stupid charges. Traders will have to buy the handset, but it'll have advantages for them as well. Cheques aren't a safe way of payment for traders anyway. I can write a cheque for work done to my garden and be on the phone to the bank to cancel it before the trader has left my driveway.

Some traders might want to insist on cash, but some do now anyway. In fact, I just had a shed built, and cash was the only option.