The benefits of giving payment cards to people signing up for social care services have been highlighted by an industry source.

Rich Wagner, chief executive officer of card supplier Advanced Payment Systems, explained to the Guardian that professionals in social care management jobs are able to audit the money spent by people.

He pointed out that the cards, which are often used instead of direct payments, can also be used for transfers from bank accounts and internet transactions.

"As a UK taxpayer I want funds to be dispersed to people who need it and to be used in the appropriate way. The transparency that the cards provide do a lot to ensure that this is the case," Mr Wagner remarked.

Jeff Jerome, strategic adviser to the Think Local, Act Personal Partnership, told the publication that the popularity of payment cards is climbing and should be considered a valuable alternative to direct payments, but he advised against making them mandatory.

According to the Edinburgh Evening News, the number of disabled people receiving direct payments in the Scottish city has trebled since 2006 to reach 449.

Edinburgh Southern MSP Jim Eadie described the news as "progress" and said it showed that more individuals are living independently in the community.

In his opinion, no government in history has done enough to support disabled people.