CHEQUE PAYMENTS FOR PENSIONS AND BENEFITS

Motion Text

That this House notes that around 400,000 people currently choose to receive pension and benefit payments by Department for Work and Pensions cheques; further notes that the Pension Service is pressing those recipients to receive the benefits through direct payment into a bank account; recalls that in 2004 the Government recognised that recipients who require a cheque payment were likely to include those who are least able to cope with change; therefore urges the Government to again recognise that direct payment is not an appropriate method for some of the most vulnerable members of society; and calls on the Government to continue to allow cheques to be used as a means to withdraw state pension and benefits at local post offices.