HC Deb 13 December 1999 vol 341 cc43-4W
Mr. Crausby

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what recent representations he has received on the Government's plans for payment of benefits by automated credit transfer. [102238]

Mr. Rooker

I refer my hon. Friend to the written answer I gave my hon. Friend the Member for Vale of Glamorgan (Mr. Smith) on 6 December 1999,Official Report, column 374W.

Mr. Webb

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if it is his intention that, by 2005, all benefits will be paid into bank accounts through the automated credit transfer system. [102450]

Mr. Crausby

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to ensure that recipients of benefits who do not choose to have benefits paid by automated credit transfer retain the option of payment by order book. [102241]

Mr. Rooker

Starting in 2003 we will be moving to a more modern, secure and efficient method of paying benefits through automated credit transfer (ACT). Payment by ACT will become the norm for paying benefits and the move to ACT will be completed in 2005.

Final consultancy expenditure Management consultants IT consultants Total
1997–98
Headquarters 448,955.30 1,480,765.97 1,929,712.27
Independent Statutory Body 34,182.70 35,214.33 69,397.03
Benefits Agency 7,749,889.74 3,026,673.24 10,776,562.98
Contributions Agency 196,832.43 433,165.36 629,997.79
Child Support Agency 334,344.96 — 334,344.96
War Pensions Agency 113,646.04 44,714.25 158,360.29
Information Technology Services Agency 2,690,542.90 3,298,078.42 5,988,621.32
Total 11,568,394.07 8,318,602.57 19,886,996.64
1998–99
Headquarters 2,958,491.58 1,644,500.02 4,602,991.60
Independent Statutory Body 112,130.29 2,240.00 114,370.29
Benefits Agency 7,153,738.38 7,302,862.98 14,456,601.36
Contributions Agency 419,792.10 673,328.50 1,093,120.60
Child Support Agency 198,868.56 0.00 198,868.56
War Pensions Agency 306,915.25 73,326.65 380,241.90
Information Technology Services Agency 1,829,312.36 4,532,311.51 6,361,623.87
Total 12,979,248.52 14,228,569.66 27,207,818.18
1999 to October 1999
Headquarters 1,822,083.84 313,644.84 2,135,728.68
Independent Statutory Body 21,602.48 0.00 21,602.48
Benefits Agency 10,021,830.60 3,997,569.32 14,019,399.92
Contributions Agency 0.00 0.00 0.00
Child Support Agency 377,982.29 24,490.19 402,472.48
War Pensions Agency 7,699.68 3,808.00 11,507.68
Information Technology Services Agency 854,986.87 1,218,525.51 2,073,512.39
Total 13,106,186.76 5,558,037.87 18,664,223.63

However, there will have to be some, limited, exceptions. We have given an assurance that those benefit recipients, whether paid by ACT or otherwise, who wish to collect their benefits in cash at Post Offices, will continue to be able to do so.