HC Deb 11 July 2003 vol 408 cc1033-4W
Mr. Heald

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his answer to the hon. Member for Brent, North (Mr. Gardiner), 7 July 2003,Official Report, column 601W, what discussions he has had with (a) banks and (b) other ATM providers on the impact of the increase in fee-charging ATMs on pensioners and benefit recipients who choose to have their pensions and benefits paid directly into bank accounts. [125395]

Malcolm Wicks

Officials regularly meet with a range of interested groups, including financial organisations and the British Bankers' Association, to discuss the move to direct payment.

Customers have a number of options as to how they access their money free of charge. In particular, many will take advantage of the new facilities to withdraw cash, free of charge, over post office counters, from a range of basic and other bank accounts.