§ Mr. Heathcoat-AmoryTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the total savings from paying benefits and pensions directly into bank accounts instead of by cash payments at post offices. [136709]
§ Mr. RookerThe move to automated credit transfer as the normal method of payment will provide a more modern, secure and efficient payment method and will bring significant savings anticipated to be in the region of £600 million per year. The move will begin in 2003, but full savings will not be realised until the system is phased in, when the transition from current paper-based methods of payment is complete.