MP HITS OUT AT STUDIES ON PO CARDS

Angus MP, Mike Weir has accused the UK Government of distorting the findings of pilot studies in an attempt to prove pension and benefit recipients are happy to give up Post Office Card Accounts.

Mr Weir made the charge after Works and Pension Minister, James Plaskitt, made it clear in a Commons statement the card account – used to pay pensioners and benefit claimants through Post Offices – will be scrapped in 2010.

The Minister claimed that the vast majority of those moved from a Post Office Card Account to a bank account were happy to do so.  However, a summary report revealed that in fact 85% of existing customers either refused to change from Post Office Card Accounts or made no response when asked to supply details of their bank account so payments were made through them instead.

Mr Weir said:

“This has been a deliberately skewed trial in support of the Government’s inexplicable urge to drive customers from Post Office Card Accounts to the banks.

“Even under these conditions the vast majority wanted to remain with Post Office Card Accounts.

“The Government should leave Post Office Card Accounts alone and try to build up the Post Office’s customer base.