Oral Answers to Questions

Mike Wood Excerpts

Monday 15th October 2018 Commons Chamber

[Nigel Huddleston (Mid Worcestershire) (Con)]

14. What steps the Government have taken to enable industry to deliver the pensions dashboard.

[Mike Wood (Dudley South) (Con)]

16. What steps the Government have taken to enable industry to deliver the pensions dashboard.

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

An industry-led pensions dashboard, facilitated by Government, will harness industry innovation and provide an opportunity for the pensions industry to step up and take a leading role. We have engaged with the industry and are assessing the feasibility of a dashboard. We will report shortly on the findings.

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[Mr Speaker]

If the Minister could be good enough to face the House, it would be hugely appreciated.

[Mike Wood]

Does the Minister agree that for the pensions dashboard to be effective, it must be comprehensive, which means enjoying support right across the sector? If so, what is he doing to achieve this?

[Guy Opperman]

It was a pleasure to visit my hon. Friend’s constituency in the summer and to meet many of the 10,000-plus people there who are auto-enrolled. We are in daily contact with industry figures as we prepare our feasibility report and plan for the roll-out of the dashboard.

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[Alok Sharma]

It is absolutely clear that under universal credit work is paying. That is why we have over 3 million more people in jobs than in 2010.

[Mike Wood (Dudley South) (Con)]

T5. I welcome the announcement that Citizens Advice will be providing universal support in Dudley South and across the country. Can the Minister explain how this will benefit my constituents, and particularly their timely access to universal credit?

[Alok Sharma]

Through Citizens Advice, which we are rolling out across the country, it will be possible particularly for the most vulnerable to get support in terms of budgeting help and also digital support.