Written questions, answers and statements

Post Office Card Account

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Question for Department for Work and Pensions

UIN 36899, tabled on 9 May 2016

Question

Valerie Vaz
Labour
Walsall South
Commons

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether his Department plans to change provision of the Post Office Card Account.

Answer

Priti Patel
Conservative
Witham
Commons

Answered on

12 May 2016

Post Office Card Accounts provide a useful service to many people and there are no plans to change provision.

The Department recognises, however, that working age claimants may also be receiving wages. As the account does not receive wages or allow for direct debit or standing order facilities, Post Office Card Accounts are not suitable for all of their needs. Those claimants are therefore being encouraged to open main stream bank accounts including credit union accounts.

The Post Office Card Account contract was awarded from 01 December 2014 and expires on 30 November 2021 and there are no plans to amend that term.

Answered by

Department for Work and Pensions
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