I thought the requirements were quite tough. You have to show business accounts and invoicing for 6 months, website, portfolio of your past work if you are freelance, or prove you're employed in a registered company with tax records etc.. I can't see how the lowest of the low could do all of that?
when you say direct debit payments, you mean like setting up regular bill payments? Or do you mean using like a debit card? Is chip and pin a thing if contactless isn't?