CHEQUE PAYMENTS FOR PENSIONS AND BENEFITS

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.