To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the estimated cost to her Department is per transaction of Post Office Card Account transactions under (a) the new Post Office Card Account due to be introduced in 2010 and (b) each other benefit transaction method. (317181)

The new Post Office card account contract began on 1 October 2009 and the current average cost to the Department for each payment made into a POca is around 50p.

Other payment method costs are: 1p per payment into a bank or other account; £2.00 per cheque; and 55p per payable order.

The costs are made up of contract costs and where appropriate, other costs such as postage, stationery and administration.