DWP Decision

Press release : 3 March 2011 PAYPOINT CHOSEN AS PAYMENTS NETWORK FOR CASH PAYMENT OF BENEFITS Decision by DWP will benefit local retailers and benefits claimants PayPoint, the UK's leading branded cash payments network, welcomes today's announcement from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) that PayPoint has been named preferred supplier to be the retail payment network for the new service which is to replace green 'Giro' cheques for cash benefits.  The service will be delivered together with the DWP's selected banking partner Citibank, whom PayPoint understands the DWP will ask to act as prime contractor. This service will build on PayPoint's ability to pay out cash through its retail network, which has proven attractive to both clients and retail agents since it was launched last year.  It is intended that this service will be delivered across the full range of benefits for customers who do not have bank or Post Office card accounts. Similarly to the cheque payments which are being replaced, customers will be supplied with a document to confirm their entitlement that can be cashed in a PayPoint retail outlet, but this is the first time that PayPoint has provided a service to the DWP. As this is a new service, volumes are difficult to predict.  PayPoint expects to spend most of next financial year preparing for the start of the service, for which the DWP will pay set up fees.  Thereafter, revenue should accrue to PayPoint's established business, helping maintain the growth forecast by the market. Dominic Taylor, Chief Executive of PayPoint, said: "We are delighted that the breadth, quality and efficiency of the PayPoint retail network has been recognised by DWP and look forward to working with the Department to deliver this very exciting and socially important initiative. "The retailers who make up our network work incredibly hard to provide their service at the very heart of their communities, opening from early morning to late at night, seven days a week, including bank holidays. The proposed new system for cash payment of benefits through our network will make it far easier for the recipients to access their own money at locations and times that are more convenient for their circumstances and lifestyles and builds on their trust in the PayPoint brand and service, which millions of cash economy consumers use every week for their essential payments." ENDS. Contact: Peter Brooker, PayPoint                                 01707 600300 Rollo Head/Don Hunter, Finsbury                    020 7251 3801 ABOUT PAYPOINT PayPoint is a leading international provider of convenient payments and value added services to major consumer service organisations in the energy pre and post-payment, housing, water, telecoms, media, financial services, transport, retail, e-commerce, gaming and public sectors. PayPoint delivers payments and services through a uniquely strong combination of local shops, internet and mobile distribution channels and handles over £10 billion annually from almost 570 million transactions annually for more than 6,000 clients and merchants. Retail networks The PayPoint branded retail network in the UK numbers over 22,000 terminals located in local shops (including Co-op, Spar, McColls, Costcutter, Sainsbury's Local, One Stop, Londis and thousands of independents). Collect+, a joint venture with Yodel, formerly Home Delivery Network Limited, provides a parcel collection and drop off service at more than 3,400 PayPoint retailers. Its ATM network numbers more than 2,400 'LINK' branded machines across the UK, mainly in the same sites as PayPoint terminals. In Romania, the branded retail network numbers over 5,000 terminals located in local shops, processing cash bill payments for utilities and mobile phone top- ups. In Ireland, over 500 outlets in shops and credit unions process mobile top- ups and bill payments. Internet PayPoint.net is an internet payment service provider linking into all major UK acquiring banks to deliver secure online credit and debit card payments for over 5,500 web merchants. It offers a comprehensive set of products ranging from a transaction gateway through to a bureau service and FraudGuard, an advanced service to mitigate the risk of fraud. PayByPhone PayByPhone is a leading international provider of services to parking authorities allowing consumers to use their mobile phones to pay for their parking by credit or debit card.  It has contracts in the UK, France, Canada and the USA. PayPoint is widely recognised for its leadership in prepayment systems, smart technology and consumer service. This announcement is distributed by Thomson Reuters on behalf of Thomson Reuters clients. The owner of this announcement warrants that: (i) the releases contained herein are protected by copyright and other applicable laws; and (ii) they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein. Source: Paypoint plc via Thomson Reuters ONE [HUG#1494304]

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