Pensions Triple Lock

Debate between Pat McFadden and Ayoub Khan

Tuesday 13th October 2026 Commons Chamber

[Pat McFadden]

My hon. Friend is right to draw attention to the immense contribution made by carers at home. The package that we have announced is good news for carers, as I said. This is a new settlement not just for pensioners but for the many younger relatives who look after older relatives and who can look forward to a new national care service being developed in the coming years.

[Ayoub Khan (Birmingham Perry Barr) (Ind)]

More than a quarter of pensioners in my constituency of Birmingham Perry Barr already claim pension credit on top of their state pension, but even with the triple lock they will choose between heating and eating this winter. Now they are being told that their social safety net may be cut even more. Pensioners are worried. The triple lock cannot be lifted until we put an end to the cost of living crisis and provide more support for the most vulnerable pensioners. What is the Secretary of State doing to achieve that, so we can ensure that the poorest pensioners are not left worse off?

[Pat McFadden]

I refer to our introduction of pension credit, which has done significant amounts to reduce pensioner poverty. Claims have increased by more than 30,000 in recent times. Under the plans that I have set out, pensioner poverty is set to fall. In addition, we have asked the Pensions Commission to look at what further measures may be needed to ensure that we bear down on pensioner poverty in future, because security in retirement is vital for older people.

Youth Unemployment

Debate between Pat McFadden and Ayoub Khan

Tuesday 17th March 2026 Commons Chamber

[Pat McFadden]

Yes, of course. I want to work with the Scotland Office, the Scottish Government and anyone who can make an impact. I visited the Bellshill jobcentre in central Scotland just before Christmas. I was told by the area manager that over 40% of the young people on her caseload were on what was called the “health journey”. That should bring us up short. It should tell us and warn us about the stickiness and the long-term effects of a young person being off long-term on sickness benefits. We have to do more to get opportunity to those young people and help them into work. I hope the package I have brought forward today can help us to do that.

[Ayoub Khan (Birmingham Perry Barr) (Ind)]

Across the west midlands, around 29,000 young people are unemployed, with unemployment rates in parts of Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Walsall running at double the national average. I welcome the measures announced today, but how will the Government ensure they reach young people in high unemployment areas such as Birmingham Perry Barr, where approximately 2,000 young people are unemployed, rather than resources being spread thinly across the counties and the country?

[Pat McFadden]

Obviously, I know the west midlands well and I know the passion that our Mayor, Richard Parker, has for expanding opportunity, offering more skills and more opportunities to young people. I work closely with him on that agenda. I do not believe we should set area against area. Of course I am concerned about youth unemployment in the west midlands. I can assure the hon. Gentleman that his constituents and mine, and those in every other constituency in the west midlands, can benefit from the proposals I have brought forward today.