State Pension Reform

Debate between David Burrowes and Steve Webb

Monday 14th January 2013 Commons Chamber

[Steve Webb]

There will be knock-on effects when the universal credit is introduced: because housing benefit will no longer be paid for people of working age, we will have to incorporate housing benefit for pensioners in the pension credit system. There will be knock-on changes, but we envisage, certainly for the foreseeable future, a continuing separate pension credit system.

[Mr David Burrowes (Enfield, Southgate) (Con)]

I, too, welcome the value these reforms will give to people who have taken time out to care for children and, in particular, for elderly relatives. Does this not send out a clear message that this Government are indeed on the side of families and value them in retirement?

[Steve Webb]

We do indeed believe that, as with a year of paid work paying national insurance, a year bringing up a young child or looking after an elderly or disabled person is an equally valuable contribution to society and should be recognised as such going forward.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between David Burrowes and Steve Webb

Monday 19th July 2010 Commons Chamber

[Steve Webb]

The right hon. Gentleman is very knowledgeable about pensions and social issues, and he has highlighted an important matter. We specifically referred to this in the call for evidence for the change to 66. The good news is that life expectancy is increasing across all social groups, but the factor that he mentioned is an important one, and we will consider it when we examine state pension ages.

[Mr David Burrowes (Enfield, Southgate) (Con)]

11. What steps Jobcentre Plus plans to take to assist education leavers into employment and training in 2010.

--- Later in debate ---

[Steve Webb]

As the hon. Gentleman knows, the underlying level of cold weather payments has been £8.50, which was increased to £25 for the past two winters. We are considering the rate for the coming winter, but we take representations each year on cold weather stations to make sure that they match the exact geography of local areas, for the sort of reasons that he gives.

[Mr David Burrowes (Enfield, Southgate) (Con)]

T8. Will my hon. Friend inform the House of the estimate of the number of benefit claimants who are addicted to alcohol and/or drugs? Will she outline the opportunities that will arise under the Work programme to reduce dependency, which can often be both on drugs and alcohol, and benefits?