EXCEPTIONS SERVICE AND THE POST OFFICE

Early day motion 375, tabled 7 January 2004 by Lord Bruce of Bennachie (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 122 members.

That this House calls on the Government to clarify as a matter of urgency how housebound, disabled and older people who are not able to cope with the Government's three direct payment options will be able to claim their pensions and benefits after 2005; notes that the Government has consistently acknowledged the need for an Exceptions Service, yet has failed to give any firm indication of how this system will operate; notes that the Exceptions Service will only be in place 18 months after the move to direct payments began and that letters to claimants and the Government's publicity material largely fail to mention the Exceptions Service or that people can continue to use their order books and girocheques until 2005; notes that uncertainty about how they will be able to collect their pension or benefits has led to anxiety and distress among the most vulnerable members of our society and that many of these people have either not responded at all or have chosen an unsuitable method of receiving essential income due to ignorance of the Exceptions Service; and calls on the Government to guarantee that the Exceptions Service allows for multiple third party collectors, does not require a pinpad and PIN, is fully accessible at post offices and reinforces the viability of the Post Office Network.

Signatures by party: Liberal Democrat 42, Conservative 39, Labour 29, Plaid Cymru 4, DUP 3, Labour/Co-operative 2, Independent Conservative 1, Independent Ulster Unionist 1, Scottish National Party 1.