A review of the MiCard system for paying benefits and pensions is to be carried out by Treasury.

Treasury Minister Alfred Cannan told the House of Keys that the review was due to be completed by June 2021.

He was quizzed by Lawrie Hooper (Ramsey) what alternative or additional service partners have been approached in respect of delivery of benefit or pension collections via MiCard.

Mr Cannan replied that no alternative or additional service partners have been approached.

He said: ’Treasury will be examining whether there might be an alternative to the MiCard service for those persons wishing to collect their benefits or state pensions in cash.

’Due to competing priorities, that piece of work has not yet started but will be completed by June 2021.’

Mr Hooper said: ’In view of the reduction in reach that is being planned by the Post Office as part of their retail consolidation strategy, should Treasury not now be looking to partner with additional partners, new partners, well in advance of June 2021?

’Otherwise we may end up in a position where we have gaps in service.’

Mr Cannan replied: ’I appreciate that things change, move and evolve. Clearly, there are continuing questions about the Post Office’s strategy.’

But Mr Hooper said: ’I am not asking about the MiCard system that is currently in place; I am asking about the MiCard system that will be in place by June 2021. Is this not a piece of work that really needs to happen much sooner?’

The Minister said: ’We are contracted to the Isle of Man Post Office for the use of MiCard until December 2022.

’I am absolutely satisfied at the pace and timescales outlined for this review of MiCard to take place.’