Written question asked by Keith Vaz (Labour) on Tuesday, 9 June 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 15 June 1998. It was answered by Lord Field of Birkenhead (Labour) on Monday, 15 June 1998 on behalf of the Department of Social Security.

Dept of Social Security

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what steps the Benefits Agency is taking with regard to the computerisation of benefit payments.

Answer: Mr. Vaz: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps the Benefits Agency is taking with regard to the computerisation of benefit payments. [45692] Mr. Field: The Benefits Agency, Post Office Counters Ltd. and ICL Pathway are undertaking the automation of post offices and benefit payments. Order books and Girocheques will be phased out and replaced by a magnetic stripe plastic card to provide a modern, secure and convenient method of paying benefits. This will involve the automation of over 19,000 post offices and the conversion of approximately 20 million Social Security benefit recipients who choose to collect payment at the post office. The project is being implemented under the terms of a PFI contract let to ICL Pathway under the previous administration in 1996.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 314 c115W; 45692
Session: 1997-98
Subjects: Contracts Software Payments Post offices Social security benefits Automation