Fury over penions roadshow 'bullies'

ADVERTISING giant WPP has become embroiled in the row over Government bullying of retired people who want their pensions paid in cash.

WPP's Headcount subsidiary is running a roadshow for the Department for Work and Pensions to persuade the elderly to receive their money through bank accounts.

Complaints of harassment by call centre staff working on DWP's behalf have already brought an apology from Pensions Minister Chris Pond.

Now, as with the call centres, there are fears that Headcount employees have failed to tell pensioners of their right to continue to be paid in cash even though the traditional pension book is being scrapped.

On Tuesday, Headcount's roadshow was in Blackburn, Lancashire. One pensioner said: 'They asked if I wished to have my pension paid into the bank and I told them I would be continuing to receive cash.

'Then they said - No way will you get it. Only the disabled and the blind will get cash.'

She added: 'I told them the DWP had already written to me saying I could have cash. The person replied: Why don't you move into the 21st Century?'

DWP confirmed it had trained the Headcount staff.