§ Baroness Byfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
How benefit claimants will be transferred from the current paper-based Post Office system to the new electronic Post Office card account; and [HL2515]
Whether benefit claimants may expect to be issued with new electronic Post Office card accounts according to (a) their surname, (b) the benefits they receive, (c) where they live and (d) some other system. [HL2516]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Baroness Hollis of Heigham)The move to payment direct into bank/ building society accounts between 2003 and 2005 will, broadly, be organised according to benefits received. And through universal banking services there will be Post Office access to a range of bank accounts.
The emphasis of our payment direct into bank/ building society accounts migration and marketing strategy will be to ensure that each customer has the best account for his or her circumstances. The vast 89WA majority of claimants already have a suitable existing bank account and we expect that they will choose to use them when they start to be paid by this method. If customers do not have a suitable bank account, we will provide them with information on the types of account available, including standard and basic bank accounts and Post Office card accounts, and help them make the best choice for their circumstances.
§ Baroness Byfordasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether claimants to more than one benefit will be transferred to an electronic Post Office card account earlier or later than claimants to a single benefit. [HL2517]
§ Baroness Hollis of HeighamThe move to payment direct into bank/building society accounts, whether into a Post Office card account or any other type of account, will not be affected by the number of benefits received.