Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment she has made of the effect of the end on the Post Office Card Account on vulnerable people that use that service.

The Department’s contract with Post Office Limited for the Post Office Card Account is due to end in 2021.

For vulnerable customers who are unable to open or operate a standard account, the Department will implement a replacement payment service.

Customer insight has influenced business requirements for the new service which outline the positive outcomes that must be achieved to ensure that the payment needs of individuals who are in a vulnerable situation are met. This includes the ability to obtain cash payments from a network of payment outlets in their local area (including suburban and rural locations).