§ Mr. WebbTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if benefit claimants who receive payments by order book and who already have a bank account will have the option under automated credit transfer of opening(a) a basic bank account accessible through a post office and (b) a post office card account. [71786]
§ Malcolm WicksYes. They will also have the option of using their existing account. Customers will be provided with the information to help them make the best choice for their circumstances.
§ Dr. CableTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what progress has been made on the implementation of a national call centre to deal with emergency payments following the introduction of ACT; and if he will make a statement. [70188]
§ Malcolm WicksThere are no plans for the implementation of a national call centre to deal with emergency payments.
§ Dr. CableTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when the Government propose to start the advertising campaign to promote the new ACT procedures due to come into operation in April 2003; how much is to be allocated for this campaign; and if he will make a statement. [70523]
§ Malcolm WicksThe campaign aims to give customers the factual information they need about the choices they have as we reform the way we pay benefits and pensions. This will begin in October 2002 when we will start to issue mailings to customers as the first stage of an information campaign we are currently developing.
This will be followed by the wider information campaign using a range of media from early next year. As this campaign is currently being developed the final budget has yet to be decided.