Oral Answers to Questions

Fiona Bruce Excerpts

Monday 24th October 2011 Commons Chamber

[Mr Duncan Smith]

I felt that I answered the question. The hon. Gentleman might not have liked the answer, but I none the less answered it.

We do not agree with the Opposition’s suggestion of a VAT cut. It is also worth gently reminding the hon. Gentleman that he is part of a party that in government saw a huge rise in unemployment and stagnation of the economy, so before we get lessons and lectures from the Opposition, it would be nice for them to say, “We’re sorry for the mess we left things in.”

[Fiona Bruce (Congleton) (Con)]

9. What steps he is taking to help women who are most affected by the state pension age proposals contained in the Pensions Bill.

[Andrea Leadsom (South Northamptonshire) (Con)]

16. What steps he is taking to help women who are most affected by the state pension age proposals contained in the Pensions Bill.

[The Minister of State, Department for Work and Pensions (Steve Webb)]

We have amended the Pensions Bill so that women with the largest delay in receiving their state pension will find this delay reduced by six months.

[Fiona Bruce]

I thank the Minister for that reply, but what support is the Department offering to those who will have to work longer as a result of the revised state pension age timetable?

[Steve Webb]

Now that we will hopefully have certainty about the dates next week—subject to their lordships’ approval—we will want to ensure that people know exactly when their retirement date is. We will write to 750,000 people shortly, so that they know where they stand, and all the services of Jobcentre Plus and the Work programme will be available to those who become long-term unemployed later in life.