Castletown benefits office to close

Castletown is to lose its social security office at the end of this month.

The Department of Social Care says the office in the Old Customs House on the quay is to close.

Minister Chris Robertshaw says benefit payments are now paid into bank accounts or at post offices, and the building isn’t fit for purpose.

He says he can’t justify the expense of keeping it open, and in future people will have to sign on either in Port Erin or Douglas.

There’s also a cut in the Ramsey office's hours – it will no longer open on Thursdays.