§ Mr. JenkinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the number of stages in the process of setting up a Post Office customer card account. [87106]
§ Malcolm Wicks[holding answer 16 December 2002]: The Department for Work and Pensions will be writing to customers over the next two years when it is their turn to change to Direct Payment into an account. Customers will be provided with information (including letters and leaflets) which clearly sets out the different types of accounts available, so that they can choose the account which best meets their needs and circumstances.
Customers who wish to open a post office card account will need to contact the Department to discuss their account options with an adviser. They will then be issued with a personal invitation document. This document should then be taken to a post office branch where the customer will be given a post office card account application form to complete.
Overall the process of applying for a post office card account is straightforward and no more onerous than that of applying for a basic (or other) bank account.