§ Mr. MeacherTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what action he is taking to make clear to staff and claimants that the Social Security (Claims and Payments) Regulations 1987 allows for benefit administered clerically to be paid directly into the bank account or building society belonging to a claimant, their spouse or other person acting on the claimant's behalf.
§ Miss WiddecombeI am arranging for guidance to be issued to local social security offices clarifying the help and advice they can give to individual beneficiaries who have no suitable person to act on their behalf and who request payment direct to bank or building society accounts. The facility is already available for bulk payments of benefit to agents and appointees handling the affairs of customers.