The pilots, which were announced at the launch of Youth Matters: Next Steps earlier this year (YPN, 15-21 March, p3), were scheduled to start in September, building on the Government's Connect scheme, which provides a shared infrastructure to enable local authorities to provide online services.
But Young People Now understands the Department for Education and Skills (DfES) is in talks with a national bank to provide an alternative way of transferring money to the cards, sparking fears among pilots that this could reduce the card's accessibility for young people.
David McWilliams, head of youth services at Nottingham City Council, one of the pilot authorities, said: "This could put further barriers in front of young people and the DfES is very aware of that."
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