Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Fiona Bruce and Steve Webb

Monday 24th October 2011 Commons Chamber

[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.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Fiona Bruce and Steve Webb

Thursday 5th May 2011 Commons Chamber

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

We are consulting on two options for reform to make the state pension system simpler and fairer for those—including many women—who have historically experienced poor pension outcomes. We will publish a full assessment of impacts when more detailed proposals for reform are published.

[Fiona Bruce]

Many of my constituents, particularly female constituents, have raised concerns about the proposals. Will the Minister explain how the funding has been planned?

[Steve Webb]

We are spending the budget that was already planned for state pension expenditure in what we consider to be a better way. There will be a simpler system, which will reward saving and be fairer to women in particular. Some of those with the highest earnings who would have received higher earnings-related pensions will ultimately receive smaller pensions than they would have otherwise, but we think that the system will be fairer and simpler.