Oral Answers to Questions Debate
Full Debate: Read Full DebateMichael McCann
Main Page: Michael McCann (Labour - East Kilbride, Strathaven and Lesmahagow)Department Debates - View all Michael McCann's debates with the Department for Work and Pensions
(11 years, 6 months ago)
Commons ChamberI am glad to see that the hon. Lady realises the point of this whole process—to learn the lessons and to understand how best to implement the pilot programmes properly. Of course we will be talking to all local authorities, particularly those that are directly affected, and all other local authorities will listen to what they say. Despite the massive protestations of collapse and doom and gloom that we heard when we announced these proposals—we should remember that all local authorities have known about them for over a year—we now see statistics showing that there has not been the mass migration that was predicted. As for access to housing, housing benefit caseloads in London have risen by 5%, not fallen.
4. How many people currently claiming a state pension will benefit from the new higher rate state pension under his proposals for a single tier scheme.
People who reach state pension age before single-tier implementation will receive a state pension in line with existing rules. Existing pensioners already receive the triple lock designed to ensure that the pension rises by at least 2.5% each year. The single-tier reforms are designed to respond to the challenges facing working people today.