People Must Know the Truth About the Direct Payment of Pensions and Benefits

6.00.00pm GMT Tue 13th Jan 2004

Annette Brooke MP has added her support to a Parliamentary Motion calling on the Government to make clear 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. The motion, tabled by Lib Dem MP Malcolm Bruce MP, has gathered cross party support.

Annette Brooke commented:

"Most people will prefer to receive their benefits and pensions directly into their bank account or into a post office card account. Many housebound, disabled and older people however will have difficulties opening an account, remembering a PIN and using a pinpad. The options provided by the Government for pension and benefits collection has led to widespread distress and anxiety among this very vulnerable group of people.

"They are not being told the whole truth by Government. A fourth option will be unveiled later this year which will very probably not involve any sort of account.

"The only conclusion to draw is that the Government is withholding this information and the fact that people can continue to use their order books until 2005 to make sure they choose the cheapest option - even if it is a wrong one for them.

"My Liberal Democrat colleagues and I believe people are entitled to know the full facts about this new system of pension and benefit payments. If the Government aren't going to do it, we will."