§ Mr. HobanTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what consultations have been carried out with benefit recipients on the advantages and disadvantages of(a) the basic bank account and (b) the Post Office card account. [82165]
§ Malcolm WicksWe have discussed the changes widely with interested groups, who have been given an opportunity to comment on the information materials that will be issued to our customers. Our information campaign will take customers through the changes. Customers will be supplied with information which clearly sets out their account options (including the key features of each type of account) and enables them to decide which account best meets their needs and circumstances.
§ Mr. HobanTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the cost per transaction will be of paying(a) the basic state pension and (b) child benefit through (i) the basic bank account and (ii) the Post Office card account [82166]
280W
§ Malcolm WicksThe cost of making payments to the Post Office card account is less than 1p, as it is for basic bank accounts, however the Government pays additional costs to the Post Office for the provision of the Post Office card account services. These costs remain commercial in confidence.
§ Mr. HobanTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of(a) the likely take-up of the Post Office card account and (b) the cost to the Department thereof [82170]
§ Malcolm WicksThere is operating assumption that three million card accounts will be opened. The cost will depend on take-up which is itself dependent on a variety of factors including the numbers of benefit, pension and tax credit customers and the choices that customers make between different types of accounts.