Benefit Payment Cards

HC Deb 01 May 1995 vol 259 cc106-7W

21. Dr. Spink

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to bring in an identity card system for benefit claimants. [20140]

Mr. Arbuthnot

Starting next year, we are planning to introduce benefit payment cards to replace order books and giros for people who choose to collect their benefits at the post office. These cards will allow access to payment information which will be held electronically on a database; they are not designed as identity cards. People who choose to receive their benefits directly into their bank or building society by automated credit transfer will not hold a benefit payment card.