Written question asked by James Clappison (Conservative) on Wednesday, 16 January 2002, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 21 January 2002. It was answered by Malcolm Wicks (Labour) on Monday, 21 January 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, on what information the Government based its assumption that around three million benefit and tax credit recipients will open a Post Office card account and what provision is being made available should this figure rise following the introduction of the Universal Bank.

Answer: Mr. Clappison: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on what information the Government based its assumption that around 3 million benefit and tax credit recipients will open a Post Office card account and what provision is being made available should this figure rise following the introduction of the Universal Bank. [28942] Malcolm Wicks: Our assumption was derived from the number of benefit and tax credit recipients without bank accounts, recognising that some of these customers will open basic accounts with a high street bank. The commercial arrangements between the Government and the Post Office will provide for the possibility that the actual number of Post Office card accounts may be higher or lower than our 3 million operational assumption.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 28942; 378 c635W;378 c631W
Session: 2001-02
Subjects: Bank services Recipients Post offices Social security benefits Welfare tax credits Post office card account Automated credit transfer
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk