Oral Answers to Questions

David Johnston Excerpts

Monday 6th June 2022 Commons Chamber

The Secretary of State was asked—

[David Johnston (Wantage) (Con)]

1. How many people have been auto-enrolled in workplace pensions in Wantage constituency since 2012.

[Felicity Buchan (Kensington) (Con)]

14. How many people have been auto-enrolled in workplace pensions in Kensington constituency since 2012.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Guy Opperman)]

Since 2012, in the Wantage constituency, 14,000 local men and women have been automatically enrolled into a workplace pension. We thank the 2,410 local employers who are helping these employees to save from 8% of their earnings.

[David Johnston]

Auto-enrolment has been one of the most successful Government policies for the workplace in decades, but my hon. Friend will know that contributions are often not yet at the levels needed for people to have a secure retirement. What steps is he taking to encourage an increase in contribution levels?

[Guy Opperman]

We keep all policies under review, and auto-enrolment got to 8% only in 2019. We will proceed with the 2017 auto-enrolment review by lowering the eligibility age and making it from the first £1 earned in due course. We will also look at all matters in terms of contribution rates on a longer-term basis as time moves on.