Sheltered housing residents 'distressed' by Micard changes

Garff commissioners say a number of residents in sheltered accommodation are facing uncertainty over the government's decision to scrap Micards.

The cards - used to pay pensions and benefits - are to be phased out by the Treasury, which says it'll pay them directly into bank accounts in future.

But when the local authority met last week, members heard a number of Cooil Roi residents couldn't get bank accounts and had been left distressed by the move - adding some felt their independence was under threat.

The board asked for the matter to be discussed again, with the clerk trying to help those affected.