§ Mr. WrayTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what incentives the Government will propose to encourage wider use of banking services among benefit claimants. [116366]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonThe Government wish to encourage banks to develop basic bank accounts suitable for those who are financially excluded. From 2003 to 2005 the DSS will move progressively to the use of automated credit transfers to make benefit payments into bank or building society accounts. People who wish to continue to collect their cash at post offices will continue to be able to do so, before and after the change in 2003.
§ Mr. WrayTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many adults purchased no banking services(a) within the United Kingdom and (b) within Scotland in each of the last three years. [116367]
§ Miss Melanie JohnsonVarious surveys indicate that the percentage of adults in the United Kingdom who have neither a current account nor a savings account is in the range 2.5 to 3.5 million. Figures supplied by the Association for Payment Clearing Services in respect of 153W Great Britain and Scotland, for adults aged 18 and over without a bank, building society or National Savings account are as follows:
Thousand Great Britain Scotland 1997 2,222 271 1998 2,331 286 1999 2,381 312