§ Mr. WillettsTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions whether the exceptions service will be post office based. [114359]
§ Malcolm WicksWe are currently developing an alternative payment method to pay customers who are unable to open or manage an account. Payment outlets for this service will include post office branches.
§ Mr. WillettsTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will break down the cost of the new direct payment advertising campaign(a) by year and (b) by types of media used. [114360]
§ Maria EagleA budget of up to £25 million is available for the Direct Payment campaign, spread over a three-year period (2002–03 to 2004–05).
Advertising media and production costs for the last financial year (2002–03) total £1,462,000. This figure breaks down as follows:
Radio media 383,000 National press media 225,000 Regional press media 250,000 Production across all media 604,000 The committed spend on advertising media and production to date for the current financial year is £3,629,000. This figure breaks down as follows:
51W
TV media 1,319,000 Radio media 560,000 National press media 509, 000 Regional press media 599, 000 Magazine media 259, 000 Ambient media 189,000 Production across all media 194,000 Advertising costs for the remainder of this financial year and for next year are not yet available as the detail of the campaign is still in the process of development.
All figures quoted in this answer are exclusive of VAT.
§ Mr. WillettsTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what discussions have taken place with the Financial Ombudsman on the direct payment of benefits; and if he will make a statement. [114373]
§ Malcolm WicksThe Department"s officials regularly meet with a range of interested groups, including the Financial Ombudsman Service, to discuss the move to Direct Payment.