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, 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, 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 Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she has taken to support people with insufficient national insurance (a) contributions and (b) credits to qualify for the new State Pension.
Answered by Emma Reynolds - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)
To qualify for any payments of the new State Pension, people usually need at least 10 qualifying years of National Insurance contributions or National Insurance credits when they reach State Pension age. The contributions could be as a result of employment, self-employment or people could make voluntary National Insurance Contributions. There is also a wide range of National Insurance credits available, ensuring people can achieve the best possible State Pension outcome. In some circumstances, years built while living in countries with a reciprocal arrangement can be taken into account.
The Government makes personalised information available through the online Check Your State Pension Forecast service, which includes details about an individual’s National Insurance record and their State Pension eligibility.
The Government also provides support to older people on low incomes. Pension Credit provides a safety net for those most in need and is not based on National Insurance contributions. Pension Credit is a means tested benefit which targets help at the poorest pensioners and is a passport to other financial support including the Winter Fuel Payment, help with housing costs, council tax, heating bills and a free TV licence for those over 75.
Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether he has had recent discussions with the Chancellor of the Exchequer on the reintroduction of a (a) passenger and (b) freight service from Rosyth to mainland Europe.
Answered by Ian Murray - Secretary of State for Scotland
I have not, but I am aware that you have written to the Chancellor of the Exchequer on this matter in connection with infrastructure enhancements that may be required at the port of Rosyth.
This Government recognises the importance of upgrading our port infrastructure, and that is why we have created the National Wealth Fund, which will bring together key institutions and a compelling proposition for investors.
The National Wealth Fund is now open for engagement, and can be contacted via www.uknwf.org.uk.
Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question to the Scotland Office:
To ask the Secretary of State for Scotland, whether he has had discussions on the reintroduction of a (a) passenger and (b) freight service from Rosyth to mainland Europe.
Answered by Ian Murray - Secretary of State for Scotland
My officials have spoken with colleagues in the Department for Transport and the Treasury on this matter and I am aware of your campaigning on this issue.
This Government recognises the importance of upgrading our port infrastructure, and that is why we have created the National Wealth Fund, which will bring together key institutions and a compelling proposition for investors.
The National Wealth Fund is now open for engagement, and can be contacted via www.uknwf.org.uk.
Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, whether he has plans to bring forward proposals to make it easier to cancel online subscriptions.
Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
The Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024 introduces new rules to protect consumers from being trapped in unwanted subscription contracts, including a requirement for traders to provide straightforward ways for consumers to end contracts. The Government will be consulting later this year on proposals to inform the secondary legislation required to implement the regime.
Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the decision by the US Federal Trade Commission to require online subscription services to allow users to cancel more easily on UK consumers.
Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Similar measures have already been introduced in the UK through the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024. This introduces new rules to protect consumers from being trapped in unwanted subscription contracts, including a requirement for traders to provide straightforward ways for consumers to end contracts. These rules apply to all traders who target UK consumers, whether they are located in the UK or not. Nevertheless, the US initiative sets a standard the Government welcomes.
Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question to the Department for Business and Trade:
To ask the Secretary of State for Business and Trade, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of the decision by the US Federal Trade Commission to require online subscription services to be cancelled more easily on the UK.
Answered by Justin Madders - Parliamentary Under Secretary of State (Department for Business and Trade)
Similar measures have already been introduced in the UK through the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024. This introduces new rules to protect consumers from being trapped in unwanted subscription contracts, including a requirement for traders to provide straightforward ways for consumers to end contracts. These rules apply to all traders who target UK consumers, whether they are located in the UK or not. Nevertheless, the US initiative sets a standard the Government welcomes.
Asked by: Graeme Downie (Labour - Dunfermline and Dollar)
Question to the Ministry of Defence:
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of (a) crew accommodation and (b) crewing levels in the Fleet Solid Support Ships contract following the principal contractor’s completion of the Preliminary Design Review stage.
Answered by Maria Eagle - Minister of State (Ministry of Defence)
Navantia UK, the prime contractor for the Fleet Solid Support (FSS) ship programme, is responsible for delivering the Design and Manufacture contract. The successful completion of the Preliminary Design Review marks the first major milestone in the programme and confirms the robustness and maturity of the ship’s design.
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) including representatives from the Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) are well engaged with Navantia and the British designer of the ship, BMT, to monitor the progress of all aspects of the programme. This includes the RFA’s accommodation requirements, which are designed to a standard that is fully consistent with our expectations and is compliant where practicable with Merchant shipping regulations. The FSS design meets this intent, in order to improve the living conditions for our RFA seafarers.
Crewing levels are based on a detailed analysis of the MOD’s requirements. The core RFA crew is expected to be around 100 in number with additional military augmentees and specialists embarked for specific tasks and roles. As the design matures the MOD, working with the contractor, test the ship design and equipment selection criteria against this headmark, to ensure that the ship can be safely operated and maintained.