HC Deb 04 April 2003 vol 402 cc909-10W
Mr. McLoughlin

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners collect benefits from post offices in Derbyshire. [98895]

Malcolm Wicks

The number of pensioners in Derbyshire receiving DWP benefits (including War Pensions) collectable from post offices is 88,274 as at the 28 December 2002. This figure includes benefits paid by giro cheque, which can also be paid into a bank or building society account.

Some customers who are paid direct into an account can also collect their benefit in cash at post offices through network banking arrangements at the Post Office. There are no data available on the number of benefit claims collected in this way.

Sir Archy Kirkwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what(a) number and (b) proportion f those who have their pension paid into a bank or building society account are paid (i) weekly and (ii) monthly in arrears in (A) the Scottish Borders, (B) Scotland and (C) the UK.[106646]

Mr. McCartney

The available information is in the table.

The number and proportion of retirement pensioners receiving payment directly into a bank or building society account as at 25 January 2003 is as follows:

Area Number Proportion (percentage)
The Scottish Borders 11,082 53.1
Scotland 368,348 45.9
Great Britain 4,547,874 49.6

Note:

Figures for the Scottish Borders are for the area of the local authority.