Asked by: Baroness Stedman-Scott (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact of the Minimum Income Floor on claimants with fluctuating incomes.
Answered by Baroness Sherlock - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
Universal Credit for self-employed individuals aims to encourage sustainable work choices and support self-employment where it is a realistic route to financial self-sufficiency.
If a self-employed Universal Credit customer reports a loss to the Department, the value of the loss is offset against future earnings so it will be considered in the calculation of the Universal Credit award. Losses can also be carried forward and will be offset against earnings until the loss is used up or until the customer ceases self-employment.
The Minimum Income Floor (MIF) is designed to encourage low-earning customers to increase their earnings and grow their business. The level of the Minimum Income Floor is equivalent to what a person in employed work in similar circumstances to the self-employed individual could expect to earn at the National Minimum Wage for their age. The MIF can be tailored specifically for customers’ individual circumstances, including for health conditions and caring responsibilities. It is set using the number of hours the customer can reasonably be expected to work which is a maximum of 35 hours for individuals with no limitations on their expected working hours.
The Department’s review of Universal Credit is currently considering how effectively the benefit supports self-employed people.
Asked by: Baroness Stedman-Scott (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the impact on pension adequacy of people leaving the labour market before reaching State Pension age.
Answered by Baroness Sherlock - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
Ensuring current and future pensioners have adequate retirement income is a key priority for this Government and a focus of the Pensions Commission. Our system of the State Pension and workplace pensions provides the basis for security in retirement.
The State Pension is based on an individual's National Insurance record. People who leave the labour market before reaching State Pension age may be able to build qualifying years through National Insurance credits, for example where they receive certain benefits or have caring responsibilities. Where an individual does not pay National Insurance contributions or receive credits, they may, if eligible, be able to make voluntary contributions.
Automatic enrolment has succeeded in transforming workplace retirement saving with over 24 million employees participating in 2025, up from 11.6 million in 2012. However, the Government recognises that millions are still not saving enough for their retirement, which is exactly why last year we revived the Pensions Commission.
The Commission is exploring how to improve retirement outcomes, especially for those at the greatest risk of undersaving. Following the Pensions Commission’s final report, due in February 2027, the Government will set out its strategy to deliver a strong, fair and sustainable pensions system that will support future generations of savers and pensioners.
Asked by: Baroness Stedman-Scott (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask His Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to promote the availability of careers advice through Jobcentres to the general public.
Answered by Baroness Sherlock - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Department is taking a range of steps to promote the availability of careers advice and raise awareness of the new DWP Careers Service in England.
A communications toolkit and information pack have been shared with Local Authorities, support organisations, providers and third sector partners to help them promote and signpost the service through their own channels. The Department is also using established communication channels, including Touchbase and the Careers Strategic Newsletter.
National and local stakeholder engagement will draw on existing partnership networks and include local government and skills partners, organisations representing key customer groups, employers, careers providers and delivery partners.
Our GOV.UK pages have been updated. From the ‘Get careers information and advice’ page the public can access a 24/7 digital careers offer, on-line tools and the 0800 number to make an appointment.
This activity is supported by the Department’s social media channels, which promotes employment and careers support from work coaches, careers advisers and employer partners/influencers. Social media content is tailored to relevant audiences to increase awareness of DWP’s support for anyone who is looking for work, who wants to get on in work, or who wants to change their career or retrain.
Asked by: Baroness Stedman-Scott (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask His Majesty's Government what is their vision for the future role of Jobcentres; and how many people they expect Jobcentres to support following the extension of careers advice to all members of the public.
Answered by Baroness Sherlock - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
This government is creating a new Jobs and Careers Service: a modern, integrated, digitally enabled employment service that has already brought together Jobcentre Plus and the National Careers Service in England and is working hand in hand with employers and local partners.
Our vision for the new service is that customers will have a clear understanding of our expectations and ambitions for them, with access to tailored employment, skills and careers support to find and progress in work. Employers and local places will receive more joined-up support and better matching of customers to opportunities that meet local labour market needs and growth priorities, and our workforce will provide consistently high-quality support focused on getting people into work rather than just following processes.
Careers support has always been available to adults in England and will continue through the DWP Careers Service in England, which is available to everyone regardless of whether they claim benefits. Support can be accessed online, by telephone, or through face-to-face appointments. Qualified careers advisers will focus on providing in-depth guidance to customers who face greater barriers to working or learning. DWP will monitor usage of online tools and resources, volume of calls to the careers telephone line and number of appointments conducted to assess demand for the service and to ensure that demand is met, as appropriate to customer need and circumstance.
Asked by: Baroness Stedman-Scott (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask His Majesty's Government what plans they have to support people aged over 55 to return to work.
Answered by Baroness Sherlock - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Department for Work and Pensions values the wealth of skills and experience that people aged 50 and over bring to the workplace and the economy. We are committed to supporting people aged 50 and over to find work through a wide-ranging strategy that promotes inclusion, flexibility and progression.
We provide additional dedicated support for customers aged 50 and over in jobcentres, including through our 50PLUS Champions, who ensure that the specific needs of this age group are recognised and met. This includes facilitating engagement with local employers, promoting age inclusive policies, and supporting work coaches to deliver activity locally. We also offer the Midlife MOT, which helps individuals assess their health, skills and finances, and directs them to appropriate guidance to support their return to work. In addition, our Employer and Partnership Teams work closely with local employers and partners to expand the opportunities, training and employment support available to customers aged 50 and over.
As part of our plans to Get Britain Working, we are creating a new Jobs and Careers Service, with an enhanced focus on skills and careers. Support will be more inclusive and tailored to individual needs, including those aged 50 and over, to help them find secure, meaningful work, develop skills and progress in work.
Asked by: Baroness Stedman-Scott (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask His Majesty's Government what base year or other reference point they propose to use when calculating the increases required to maintain the value of (1) the basic State Pension, and (2) the full rate of the new State Pension, relative to earnings from April 2030.
Answered by Baroness Sherlock - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
From April 2030, the basic and new State Pensions will be uprated by the highest of 2.5%, annual CPI inflation, or the increase needed to return or maintain the State Pension at its share of average earnings as of 2029/30.
Asked by: Baroness Stedman-Scott (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask His Majesty's Government which measure of average earnings they propose to use for State Pension uprating from April 2030; and over what reference period earnings growth will be measured.
Answered by Baroness Sherlock - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
Earnings growth will be measured in reference to the value of the full rate of new State Pension relative to average earnings as of 2029/30. Further details will be set out when legislation is brought before Parliament.
Asked by: Baroness Stedman-Scott (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask His Majesty's Government what assumptions about the starting point, earnings measure, and uprating calculation, underpin their estimate of the fiscal effects of the proposed State Pension uprating reforms; and which assumptions have been supplied to the Office for Budget Responsibility.
Answered by Baroness Sherlock - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
From April 2030, pensioners will be protected by an adjusted Triple Lock. The State Pension will rise each year by at least Consumer Prices Index inflation or 2.5 per cent, whichever is higher, and by more where needed to retain its protected value relative to average earnings. The target share will be set by reference to the value of the full rate of new State Pension relative to average earnings as of 2029/30.
The Department’s published estimates use the Office for Budget Responsibility’s Spring Statement 2026 economic assumptions accounting for historical volatility in earnings growth and CPI inflation.
The Triple Lock has protected pensioner incomes and brought the State Pension to a record-high value relative to earnings. However, the current mechanism means increases in the State Pension outstrip earnings growth over time, which is unsustainable in the longer term. The adjustment will lock in the gains already made while putting the State Pension on a sustainable footing.
Asked by: Baroness Stedman-Scott (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether they intend to publish worked examples showing how increases resulting from inflation or the 2.5 per cent minimum increase will be taken into account when calculating subsequent earnings-related increases under their proposed State Pension uprating arrangements.
Answered by Baroness Sherlock - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
The Triple Lock reform factsheet was published on 6th October 2026 and provides further information on how the adjusted Triple Lock will operate.
From April 2030, the basic and new State Pensions will be uprated by the highest of 2.5%, annual CPI inflation, or the increase needed to return or maintain the State Pension at its target share of average earnings reached in 2029/30.
Asked by: Baroness Stedman-Scott (Conservative - Life peer)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask His Majesty's Government whether the same uprating calculation will apply to the basic State Pension and the full rate of the new State Pension from April 2030; and whether both will receive the same percentage increase each year.
Answered by Baroness Sherlock - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
From April 2030, the adjusted Triple Lock will apply to the core contributory basic and new State Pensions. The value of the basic State Pension and the new State Pension will be increased by the highest of 2.5 per cent, Consumer Price Index inflation, or the increase needed to return or maintain the State Pension at the protected earnings level.