§ Mr. HealdTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what identity verification requirements there are for the opening of a basic bank account; and if he will make a statement on the measures being taken to minimise fraud in relation to the payment of benefits into basic bank accounts. [94896]
§ Malcolm WicksWhen a customer opens a basic bank account of their choice, under the money laundering regulations, they will need to provide proof of who they 1079W are and where they live. The bank will tell them which documents they will accept as proof—typical things are a passport, full current driving licence, order book, utility bill and council tax bill.
The move to payment directly into basic bank accounts uses tried and tested technology already chosen by over 42 per cent. of benefit recipients to access their benefit payments via bank accounts.