Begging is a controversial issue in the UK. Our welfare system is far from perfect (and it has been substantially denuded by the current Conservative government

Begging is a controversial issue in the UK. Our welfare system is far from perfect (and it has been substantially denuded by the current Conservative government) but there are relatively few people who need to beg to survive - primarily non-UK nationals with no recourse to public funds. The consensus view among charities who work with the homeless is that a) most beggars aren't rough sleepers, b) most rough sleepers don't beg and c) begging primarily serves to fund drug addictions. Though by no means universal, many people in the sector are of the opinion that giving to beggars has a net negative effect by helping to perpetuate addiction. Begging certainly isn't a sustainable solution to the factors that cause homelessness - mental illness, addiction, economic insecurity and a lack of social housing. It is entirely plausible that the diminution of begging by a move to cashlessness could see an increase in acquisitive crime.