§ Mr. WebbTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions in how many cases retirement pensions have not been paid into Post Office card accounts on their due date because of computer problems; and if he will make it his policy to put in place emergency payments in such cases. [147068]
§ Mr. PondWe are aware of a recent issue that resulted in a slight delay in paying some State Pensions into Post Office card accounts. The actual number of payments that were affected is not known.
There are existing emergency payment procedures to cover the situation where payment is not made at the due time.
§ Mr. WebbTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what arrangements were made for early payment of pensions over the Christmas and new year period 2003–04 for holders of Post Office card accounts; and if he will make a statement. [146762]
§ Mr. PondThe Department arranges that where customers are due payments on a public holiday, that payments are advanced so that they can get the money before the public holiday.
Payment to Post Office card accounts are paid in the same way as payments direct to any bank account. The arrangements put money into the account on the last banking day before each of the bank holidays namely the 24 December and 31 December.