Tens of thousands of elderly people who receive their state pension by cheque will soon be forced to collect it from a local shop instead. Pensioners have this week received letters from the Government telling them Giro cheques will be scrapped. The move, due in the summer, means the end of queuing to collect benefits from a post office. Instead, pensioners will be given a plastic card which must be presented at a local PayPoint, typically found in shops such as Spar and Costcutter and garages. They will then be given their money. Around 230,000 people currently receive their state pension or benefits by cheque. Consumer groups are worried the new system will leave older pensioners vulnerable to crime...Read more here