Pensions: Women’s State Pension Age

Debate between Lord Watts and Lord Freud

Wednesday 2nd November 2016 Lords Chamber

[Lord Freud]

Many noble Lords took part in debates on this issue in the House. One issue that we discussed was the Green Paper about the new state pension and how that would affect the women involved. We made the concession. But after that we introduced the new state pension, which has been carefully focused on the poorest women. By 2030, 3 million women will be on the full rate and gaining £550 extra each year.

[Lord Watts (Lab)]

Can the Minister give any examples of where thousands of pounds have been taken from medium-income families in one fell swoop? Can he give an example of any other Government who have ever done that?

[Lord Freud]

This measure was introduced in 1995 to equalise state pensions. There were adjustments in 2007 and 2011 and then in the Pensions Act 2014. The move to equalisation was a consensus policy by both the Conservative and Labour Governments during that time.

Poverty Programmes: Audit

Debate between Lord Watts and Lord Freud

Wednesday 4th May 2016 Lords Chamber

[Lord Freud]

My Lords, there is a different process for asylum seekers. However, once they have the right to remain, they are entitled to our welfare support.

[Lord Watts (Lab)]

My Lords, will the Minister guarantee that the anti-poverty measures which the Government have put in place will be measured independently, that those independent reports will be published, and that if the Government’s measures are found to be failing, they will change policy?

[Lord Freud]

The noble Lord will be aware that we publish an enormous number of reports, many of which are independent. Indeed, many of them have been developed at the request of this House.