§ Mr. SarwarTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will make a statement on changes to the payment of benefits and pensions and the effect on post offices(a) in Glasgow and (b) in Scotland. [127716]
§ Dr. ReidThe Government are committed to investing £480 million in the automation of the entire post office network, allowing the move to paying benefits and pensions by automated credit transfer to start in 2003. This will not prevent people from continuing to collect their benefits in cash from their local post office if they prefer.
In addition, the Government have recently unveiled a further package of measures to modernise the post office network, giving opportunities for significant new business and securing its future. As an example, from 27 July Lloyds TSB customers will be able to carry out basic banking transactions at 2,000 post offices throughout Scotland free of charge, underlining the potential for post offices to provide an ever-increasing range of services to local communities.