Oral Answers to Questions

Mhairi Black Excerpts

Monday 6th June 2022 Commons Chamber

[David Rutley]

We have important guidance in place to support local authorities, but they are best placed to provide support for people in their individual localities. That is why the household support fund has been designed with that in mind.

[Mhairi Black (Paisley and Renfrewshire South) (SNP)]

24. What (a) information and (b) financial advice her Department provides to people approaching state pension age on deferring their entitlement to the state pension.

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

Information regarding deferral is published on gov.uk and provided in the state pension claim invitation letter and through the “Check your State Pension” forecast service, or someone can speak to the Pension Service direct. Deferring a state pension is a personal choice, and whether deferring a claim to the new state pension is the right decision will depend on a range of factors that are relevant to the personal circumstances of the individual, but no specific financial advice is given.

[Mhairi Black]

The DWP wrote to my constituent encouraging him to defer his pension. Unfortunately, he passed away last year, but the DWP told his wife Caroline that she was entitled to a £30,000 lump sum and £100 a week. After weeks of being passed from pillar to post, the DWP is now saying that Caroline is entitled to nothing, but it will give her £50 for the emotional distress and incorrect information. All the correspondence that she has from the DWP contains conflicting information and no warning of the risks of deferring a pension. Will the Minister meet me to rectify the situation and ensure that it does not happen to anyone else?

[Guy Opperman]

If the hon. Lady sends me the correspondence, I will make sure that it is looked into within a matter of days.