Written question asked by Lord Willetts (Conservative) on Thursday, 27 May 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 8 July 2004. It was answered by Chris Pond (Labour) on Thursday, 8 July 2004 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 estimates he has made of (a) the number of incorrect benefit payments into Post Office card accounts, and (b) failure to pay benefits into post office card accounts; and if he will make a statement. - Inc figures.

Answer: Mr. Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimates he has made of (a) the number of incorrect benefit payments into post office card accounts, and (b) failure to pay benefits into post office card accounts; and if he will make a statement. [177527] Mr. Pond: Over 10 million DWP benefit payments have been credited to post office card accounts since April 2003. As a result of customer error or inputting error, it is estimated that approximately 4,000 payments have been issued with incorrect account details. All benefit payments issued with valid post office card account details, for direct payment into a card account are credited correctly by the card account bank to the nominated account.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 177527; 423 c834W
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: Payments Post offices Social security benefits Automated credit transfer
Contains statistics: Yes
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk