Written question asked by James Clappison (Conservative) on Wednesday, 10 July 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 18 July 2002. It was answered by Nicholas Brown (Labour) on Thursday, 18 July 2002 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Dept for Work and Pensions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment his Department has made of the number of benefit claimants without a bank account who may wish to transfer to the services of the Universal Bank; and whether the services offered will be restricted to those currently without a bank account.

Answer: Mr. Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment his Department has made of the number of benefit claimants without a bank account who may wish to transfer to the services of the Universal Bank; and whether the services offered will be restricted to those currently without a bank account. [70015] Mr. Nicholas Brown: We estimate that around 3.5 million adults in the UK do not currently have access to a bank account; the overwhelming majority of this group will be benefit recipients. Universal banking services will consist of two elements--access to the banks' basic bank accounts and the card account at the Post Office. Universal banking services will not be restricted to those currently without a bank account.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 70015; 389 c523W
Session: 2001-02
Subjects: Bank services Banks Recipients Post offices Social security benefits
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk