Post Office Card Accounts

HL Deb 08 September 2003 vol 652 c80WA

Baroness Byford

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the answers by the Lord Sainsbury of Turville on 14 July (HL Deb, cols. 620–21), (a) how many customers have opted for a Post Office card account; (b) whether it is the case that only 57,000 accounts have been opened out of 430,000 requested; and, if so, (c) how quickly this backlog will be resolved. [HL4098]

Lord Sainsbury of Turville

I understand from Post Office Ltd that as of 4 July 2003, 120,000 Post Office card accounts had been opened. I further understand from the Department for Work and Pensions that figures for 27 June 2003 indicate that 450,388 customers had opted for a Post Office card account. The number of accounts opened will grow rapidly in the period ahead. However once issued with a personal invitation document it is a matter for individual customers to complete the account application process.