§ Ian LucasTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) whether staff in the Department are permitted to dissuade benefit recipients from opening Post Office Card Accounts; [184628]
(2) how many people who are not in receipt of benefits have opened a Post Office Card Account. [184629]
§ Mr. PondStaff in the Department for Work and Pensions do not in any way discourage customers from opening Post Office card accounts.
All Department for Work and Pensions staff have been provided with information on all of the account options available to the customer. The role of our staff is to provide factual information on the features of the different account options available to the customer. The customer can then decide which type of account they choose to have their money paid into based on their individual needs and circumstances.
Many customers are choosing the Post Office card account option, with 2.8 million having opened one so far.
The Post Office card account is available only to those in receipt of benefits, state pensions and tax credits.
However, it is important that customers are made aware that the Post Office card account is not the only account that can be used at post offices.