Age UK's response to girocheque announcement

Responding to the DWP's announcement that Citibank, working in partnership with PayPoint, has won the contract to provide a replacement girocheque service, currently delivered by the Post Office, Age UK's Charity Director Michelle Mitchell said:

'Girocheques are incredibly important to many pensioners, particularly those with limited mobility who rely on other people to access their cash. It is vital that older people are given the information and advice needed for a smooth switchover and that the new service meets their requirements.

'Today's announcement is a further blow to the sustainability of the post office, which is a lifeline for many older people. It is absolutely essential that all banks ensure their current accounts can be accessed through the post office. But the Government must also move quickly to show it is serious about making the post office a frontline for delivering future services."

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Notes to Editors

Age UK
For media enquiries relating to Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland please contact the appropriate national office: Age Scotland on 0131 668 8055, Age Cymru on 029 2043 1562 and Age NI on 028 9024 5729.

Age UK is the new force combining Age Concern and Help the Aged, dedicated to improving later life.

We provide free information, advice and support to over five million people; commercial products and services to over one million customers; and research and campaign on the issues that matter to people in later life. Our work focuses on five key areas: money matters, health and well being, home and care, work and training and leisure and lifestyle. We work with our national partners, Age Scotland, Age Cymru and Age NI (together the Age UK Family), our local Age UK partners in England and local Age Concerns. We also work internationally for people in later life as a member of the DEC and with our sister charity Help Age International.

Age UK is a charitable company limited by guarantee and registered in England (registered charity number 1128267 and company number 6825798). Age Concern England and Help the Aged (both registered charities), and their trading and other associated companies merged on the 1st April 2009. Together they have formed the Age UK Group ("we").  Charitable services are offered through Age UK and commercial products are offered by the Charity's trading companies, which donate their net profits to Age UK (the Charity).

Media contact: Helen Spinney
Telephone: 020 8765 7502
Out-of-office hours: 07071 243 243