Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps she has taken to encourage people to check their national insurance contributions.
Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
To support customers, an enhanced online State Pension forecast service was launched on 29 April 2024. This included new functionality that enables the majority of working age customers to view any gaps in their national insurance contributions and make payments online where this would be beneficial. The service has successfully allowed a large number of people to self-serve, with a satisfaction rate of over 80%.
HMRC and DWP have launched a significant communications campaign to encourage people to check their National Insurance contributions, with paid-for marketing supporting our wider low-cost communications.
Some examples include a recent press release published on 7 October 2024 on GOV.UK reminding people of the deadline that has also been publicised by a range of media outlets, including Money Saving Expert. We also undertook a range of activity as part of Pensions Awareness Week in September and Talk Money Week in November. Communications included emails to 2.3 million employers and 110,000 agents, social media posts and stakeholder partnership work with organisations including British Innkeepers, DHL, Unilever and MoneyHelper, who have all helped to promote the campaign.
Continued promotion activity ahead of the deadline in April will include a robust social media strategy and continued interaction with media outlets and external partners. We are also due to publish a new explainer video, covering VNICs and how people can use the online service.
Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment she has made of the adequacy of the April 2025 deadline to check for and buy voluntary national insurance contributions.
Answered by James Murray - Exchequer Secretary (HM Treasury)
People normally have six years to pay voluntary National Insurance contributions (vNICs). An extended deadline was put in place to provide transitional arrangements as part of the introduction of the new State Pension (SP), originally ending in April 2023. Since the deadline extension to support customers, the online Check your State Pension forecast was enhanced and launched on 29 April 2024. New functionality enables the majority of working age customers to view their payable gaps and make payments online. This service has successfully allowed a large number of people to self-serve, with a satisfaction rate of over 80%.
The National Insurance helpline remains in place for customers who are unable to use the online service or who need additional assistance. Previous deadlines have resulted in significant telephony demand, and HMRC is putting in place measures to manage the expected demand in the run-up to the 5 April 2025 deadline, including managing the deployment of resources, the use of interactive voice response messaging and directing customers to the digital service.
Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if she will take steps to ensure an effective housing insurance market.
Answered by Tulip Siddiq - Economic Secretary (HM Treasury)
The UK’s home insurance market is competitive, with many providers offering a wide variety of insurance products to suit the needs of customers. The Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), the independent regulator of financial services, has a statutory objective to promote competition in the interests of consumers.
FCA rules require firms to offer products that deliver fair value to consumers (i.e. if the price a consumer pays for a product or service is reasonable compared to the overall benefits they can expect to receive). The FCA monitors firms to ensure they comply with its rules and has powers to take action if necessary.
Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question to the HM Treasury:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, when she will confirm agricultural funding for Scotland beyond March 2025.
Answered by Darren Jones - Chief Secretary to the Treasury
The 2025-26 Scottish Government block grant funding will be confirmed at phase 1 of Spending Review 2025 on 30 October 2024.
It is for the Scottish Government to allocate their funding in devolved areas, including agriculture.