Big Issue group has extended its partnership with tech firm giffgaff to ensure all sellers have access to a refurbished phone to take contactless payments.

This expands a trial last year that saw 250 vendors handed devices, which saw them increase magazine sales by an average of 30%, which is equivalent of an extra £520 a year for each seller.

If this uplift in sales is replicated, vendors will see a combined increase in earnings of £468,000 by 2027, according to Big Issue and the tech firm.

In addition, their partnership will also see giffgaff support Big Issue Recruit, which was set up by the group two years ago to support people who face barriers to finding long term work.

Through the link up 400 people being supported by Big Issue Recruit will be given phones to help their job search.

“We’re proud to continue our partnership with Big Issue Group, providing more refurbished devices so that every vendor across the UK can take cashless payments and connect to essential services and support,” said giffgaff chief executive Ash Schofield.

“Connectivity plays a key role in unlocking access to opportunity, so we will provide smartphones and funding to boost digital skills and confidence to play our part in helping people break the cycle of poverty, empowering them to achieve their potential.”

Russell Blackman, Big Issue Managing Director, added: “This groundbreaking, multi-year partnership with giffgaff helps us crack one of the most significant barriers for people experiencing poverty – digital exclusion – and means we’ll improve the lives of many more vendors and Big Issue Recruit candidates.

“Thanks to these devices and wider support from giffgaff, we’ll strengthen our means of communication between vendors and our support teams, allowing our vendors to access our services much easier. We’re very grateful for giffgaff’s continued support and excited for this new chapter in our partnership.”

Among those who has already received a phone through the partnership is London vendor Dorina.

“Being cashless is good. I used to have a card reader, but it broke in the rain. Now I can just use my phone, my customers touch (their cards) on my phone and that’s it,” she said.

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