Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will publish the number and proportion of 2006 Attitudes to Pension Survey participants who (a) were women, (b) were born in the 1950s and (c) reported awareness of the changes to the State Pension age, broken down by those aged (i) 45-54 and (ii) 55-64 at the time of the survey.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

Our response to the PHSO report on the communication of changes to State Pension age was based on evidence of awareness of the change from two key reports.

The Public Awareness of State Pension Age Equalisation, published in 2004, was conducted as part of the National Statistics Omnibus survey and interviewed a representative sample of around 2,700 working age adults. This 2004 research found that 73% of respondents aged 45-54 were aware that the State Pension age for women was increasing, with no significant gender differences in awareness levels. Both the 2004 and 2006 awareness surveys, based on independent samples, demonstrate a high level of awareness of State Pension age changes amongst 45–54-year-old women.

The Attitudes to Pensions: the 2006 Survey was a large-scale survey commissioned by DWP and carried out by the respected National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) and the School of Social Sciences, University of Birmingham. The authors included a mix of academics and research professionals, experienced in survey design and delivery, and the report was quality assured to Government Social Research standards. Almost 2,000 adults took part in the survey, and weightings were applied to ensure results were representative of the population.

The percentage of women who reported knowing that women’s State Pension age would increase in the future was 90% for women aged 45-54, and 86% for women aged 55-64.

Those born in the 1950s would have been 46-56 at the time of this survey. The closest age category provided by the survey is the female 45-54 subgroup, which has a sample size of 203, and makes up 10.4% of the overall sample of 1,950 individuals aged 18 to 69. With a sample of this size, we can get a reliable estimate of the percentage of women among this group who reported knowing that the women’s State Pension age would increase in the future. Using confidence intervals, we can have 95% confidence that this figure would be around 85-95%.

The 95% level is a widely accepted standard of confidence. Therefore, even at the lower estimate, the data shows the majority of 1950s women were aware.

The exact number of women born in the 1950s in the 55-64 age group is not given in the survey report. However, assuming an even spread, by far the majority of this group falls within the 45-54 subgroup of respondents in the survey. Those who are in the relevant age group but don't fall in the 45-54 subgroup would be in the 55-64 subgroup, and the rate of knowing about the increase in women’s State Pension age is 86% for this group, which corroborates that there were high levels of awareness.

There were 227 women aged 55-64 included in the survey, which represents 11.6% of the overall sample of individuals aged 18 to 69.

Further information on the design and make up of the survey is available in the survey report.

The 2006 Attitudes to Pensions Survey report is available online at https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20100208141655mp_/http:/research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd5/rports2007-2008/rrep434.pdf.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will publish the data her Department holds from the 2006 Attitudes to Pension Survey on the levels of awareness of the proposed increase in State Pension age for women born in the 1950s.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

Our response to the PHSO report on the communication of changes to State Pension age was based on evidence of awareness of the change from two key reports.

The Public Awareness of State Pension Age Equalisation, published in 2004, was conducted as part of the National Statistics Omnibus survey and interviewed a representative sample of around 2,700 working age adults. This 2004 research found that 73% of respondents aged 45-54 were aware that the State Pension age for women was increasing, with no significant gender differences in awareness levels. Both the 2004 and 2006 awareness surveys, based on independent samples, demonstrate a high level of awareness of State Pension age changes amongst 45–54-year-old women.

The Attitudes to Pensions: the 2006 Survey was a large-scale survey commissioned by DWP and carried out by the respected National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) and the School of Social Sciences, University of Birmingham. The authors included a mix of academics and research professionals, experienced in survey design and delivery, and the report was quality assured to Government Social Research standards. Almost 2,000 adults took part in the survey, and weightings were applied to ensure results were representative of the population.

The percentage of women who reported knowing that women’s State Pension age would increase in the future was 90% for women aged 45-54, and 86% for women aged 55-64.

Those born in the 1950s would have been 46-56 at the time of this survey. The closest age category provided by the survey is the female 45-54 subgroup, which has a sample size of 203, and makes up 10.4% of the overall sample of 1,950 individuals aged 18 to 69. With a sample of this size, we can get a reliable estimate of the percentage of women among this group who reported knowing that the women’s State Pension age would increase in the future. Using confidence intervals, we can have 95% confidence that this figure would be around 85-95%.

The 95% level is a widely accepted standard of confidence. Therefore, even at the lower estimate, the data shows the majority of 1950s women were aware.

The exact number of women born in the 1950s in the 55-64 age group is not given in the survey report. However, assuming an even spread, by far the majority of this group falls within the 45-54 subgroup of respondents in the survey. Those who are in the relevant age group but don't fall in the 45-54 subgroup would be in the 55-64 subgroup, and the rate of knowing about the increase in women’s State Pension age is 86% for this group, which corroborates that there were high levels of awareness.

There were 227 women aged 55-64 included in the survey, which represents 11.6% of the overall sample of individuals aged 18 to 69.

Further information on the design and make up of the survey is available in the survey report.

The 2006 Attitudes to Pensions Survey report is available online at https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20100208141655mp_/http:/research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd5/rports2007-2008/rrep434.pdf.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many and what proportion of the 2006 Attitudes to Pension Survey participants aged between 18 and 69 were women born in the 1950s.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

Our response to the PHSO report on the communication of changes to State Pension age was based on evidence of awareness of the change from two key reports.

The Public Awareness of State Pension Age Equalisation, published in 2004, was conducted as part of the National Statistics Omnibus survey and interviewed a representative sample of around 2,700 working age adults. This 2004 research found that 73% of respondents aged 45-54 were aware that the State Pension age for women was increasing, with no significant gender differences in awareness levels. Both the 2004 and 2006 awareness surveys, based on independent samples, demonstrate a high level of awareness of State Pension age changes amongst 45–54-year-old women.

The Attitudes to Pensions: the 2006 Survey was a large-scale survey commissioned by DWP and carried out by the respected National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) and the School of Social Sciences, University of Birmingham. The authors included a mix of academics and research professionals, experienced in survey design and delivery, and the report was quality assured to Government Social Research standards. Almost 2,000 adults took part in the survey, and weightings were applied to ensure results were representative of the population.

The percentage of women who reported knowing that women’s State Pension age would increase in the future was 90% for women aged 45-54, and 86% for women aged 55-64.

Those born in the 1950s would have been 46-56 at the time of this survey. The closest age category provided by the survey is the female 45-54 subgroup, which has a sample size of 203, and makes up 10.4% of the overall sample of 1,950 individuals aged 18 to 69. With a sample of this size, we can get a reliable estimate of the percentage of women among this group who reported knowing that the women’s State Pension age would increase in the future. Using confidence intervals, we can have 95% confidence that this figure would be around 85-95%.

The 95% level is a widely accepted standard of confidence. Therefore, even at the lower estimate, the data shows the majority of 1950s women were aware.

The exact number of women born in the 1950s in the 55-64 age group is not given in the survey report. However, assuming an even spread, by far the majority of this group falls within the 45-54 subgroup of respondents in the survey. Those who are in the relevant age group but don't fall in the 45-54 subgroup would be in the 55-64 subgroup, and the rate of knowing about the increase in women’s State Pension age is 86% for this group, which corroborates that there were high levels of awareness.

There were 227 women aged 55-64 included in the survey, which represents 11.6% of the overall sample of individuals aged 18 to 69.

Further information on the design and make up of the survey is available in the survey report.

The 2006 Attitudes to Pensions Survey report is available online at https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20100208141655mp_/http:/research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd5/rports2007-2008/rrep434.pdf.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many and what proportion of 2006 Attitudes to Pension Survey participants were (a) in the 55-64 age group and (b) women born in the 1950s.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

Our response to the PHSO report on the communication of changes to State Pension age was based on evidence of awareness of the change from two key reports.

The Public Awareness of State Pension Age Equalisation, published in 2004, was conducted as part of the National Statistics Omnibus survey and interviewed a representative sample of around 2,700 working age adults. This 2004 research found that 73% of respondents aged 45-54 were aware that the State Pension age for women was increasing, with no significant gender differences in awareness levels. Both the 2004 and 2006 awareness surveys, based on independent samples, demonstrate a high level of awareness of State Pension age changes amongst 45–54-year-old women.

The Attitudes to Pensions: the 2006 Survey was a large-scale survey commissioned by DWP and carried out by the respected National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) and the School of Social Sciences, University of Birmingham. The authors included a mix of academics and research professionals, experienced in survey design and delivery, and the report was quality assured to Government Social Research standards. Almost 2,000 adults took part in the survey, and weightings were applied to ensure results were representative of the population.

The percentage of women who reported knowing that women’s State Pension age would increase in the future was 90% for women aged 45-54, and 86% for women aged 55-64.

Those born in the 1950s would have been 46-56 at the time of this survey. The closest age category provided by the survey is the female 45-54 subgroup, which has a sample size of 203, and makes up 10.4% of the overall sample of 1,950 individuals aged 18 to 69. With a sample of this size, we can get a reliable estimate of the percentage of women among this group who reported knowing that the women’s State Pension age would increase in the future. Using confidence intervals, we can have 95% confidence that this figure would be around 85-95%.

The 95% level is a widely accepted standard of confidence. Therefore, even at the lower estimate, the data shows the majority of 1950s women were aware.

The exact number of women born in the 1950s in the 55-64 age group is not given in the survey report. However, assuming an even spread, by far the majority of this group falls within the 45-54 subgroup of respondents in the survey. Those who are in the relevant age group but don't fall in the 45-54 subgroup would be in the 55-64 subgroup, and the rate of knowing about the increase in women’s State Pension age is 86% for this group, which corroborates that there were high levels of awareness.

There were 227 women aged 55-64 included in the survey, which represents 11.6% of the overall sample of individuals aged 18 to 69.

Further information on the design and make up of the survey is available in the survey report.

The 2006 Attitudes to Pensions Survey report is available online at https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20100208141655mp_/http:/research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd5/rports2007-2008/rrep434.pdf.

Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many and what proportion of 2006 Attitudes to Pension Survey participants were (a) in the 45-54 age group and (b) women born in the 1950s.

Answered by Torsten Bell - Parliamentary Secretary (HM Treasury)

Our response to the PHSO report on the communication of changes to State Pension age was based on evidence of awareness of the change from two key reports.

The Public Awareness of State Pension Age Equalisation, published in 2004, was conducted as part of the National Statistics Omnibus survey and interviewed a representative sample of around 2,700 working age adults. This 2004 research found that 73% of respondents aged 45-54 were aware that the State Pension age for women was increasing, with no significant gender differences in awareness levels. Both the 2004 and 2006 awareness surveys, based on independent samples, demonstrate a high level of awareness of State Pension age changes amongst 45–54-year-old women.

The Attitudes to Pensions: the 2006 Survey was a large-scale survey commissioned by DWP and carried out by the respected National Centre for Social Research (NatCen) and the School of Social Sciences, University of Birmingham. The authors included a mix of academics and research professionals, experienced in survey design and delivery, and the report was quality assured to Government Social Research standards. Almost 2,000 adults took part in the survey, and weightings were applied to ensure results were representative of the population.

The percentage of women who reported knowing that women’s State Pension age would increase in the future was 90% for women aged 45-54, and 86% for women aged 55-64.

Those born in the 1950s would have been 46-56 at the time of this survey. The closest age category provided by the survey is the female 45-54 subgroup, which has a sample size of 203, and makes up 10.4% of the overall sample of 1,950 individuals aged 18 to 69. With a sample of this size, we can get a reliable estimate of the percentage of women among this group who reported knowing that the women’s State Pension age would increase in the future. Using confidence intervals, we can have 95% confidence that this figure would be around 85-95%.

The 95% level is a widely accepted standard of confidence. Therefore, even at the lower estimate, the data shows the majority of 1950s women were aware.

The exact number of women born in the 1950s in the 55-64 age group is not given in the survey report. However, assuming an even spread, by far the majority of this group falls within the 45-54 subgroup of respondents in the survey. Those who are in the relevant age group but don't fall in the 45-54 subgroup would be in the 55-64 subgroup, and the rate of knowing about the increase in women’s State Pension age is 86% for this group, which corroborates that there were high levels of awareness.

There were 227 women aged 55-64 included in the survey, which represents 11.6% of the overall sample of individuals aged 18 to 69.

Further information on the design and make up of the survey is available in the survey report.

The 2006 Attitudes to Pensions Survey report is available online at https://webarchive.nationalarchives.gov.uk/ukgwa/20100208141655mp_/http:/research.dwp.gov.uk/asd/asd5/rports2007-2008/rrep434.pdf.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, with reference to APPG for Households in Temporary Accommodation's report entitled child mortality in temporary accommodation, published on 28 January 2025, what steps her Department is taking to stop child deaths in temporary accommodation.

Answered by Rushanara Ali - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

These statistics are shocking. Homelessness levels are far too high and we are taking action to fix the current system that has left too many families without security or stability.

The Homelessness Code of Guidance is clear that temporary accommodation should not be considered suitable for a family with children under 2 if there is not enough space for a cot and that housing authorities should support families to secure a cot where needed. The legislation is clear that all temporary accommodation must be suitable, and local authorities should keep the suitability of accommodation under review. Where an individual feels that the council has applied their statutory duties incorrectly, they can take action in the courts or bring their concerns to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman.

The Deputy Prime Minister is leading cross-government work to deliver the long-term solutions we need to get us back on track to ending all forms of homelessness. This includes chairing a dedicated Inter-Ministerial Group, bringing together ministers from across government to develop a long-term strategy.

As announced at the Budget, funding for homelessness services has been increased by £233 million compared to last year (2024/25). This increased spending will help to prevent rises in the number of families in temporary accommodation and help to prevent rough sleeping. This brings total Homelessness spend to nearly £1 billion in 25/26, a record level of funding.

In addition, the £1.2 billion Local Authority Housing Fund will provide capital funding directly to English councils and is expected to provide up to 7,000 homes by 2026. It will create a lasting asset for UK nationals by building a sustainable stock of affordable housing and better-quality temporary accommodation for local communities.

The Government has also launched Emergency Accommodation Reduction Pilots, backed by £5 million, to work with 20 local councils with the highest use of Bed and Breakfast accommodation for homeless families. This will support LAs to move families into more suitable accommodation.

We are also taking action to improve standards across the housing sector, including temporary accommodation. The Renters’ Rights Bill will extend Awaab’s Law to the private rented sector which will set clear legal expectations about the timeframes within which landlords in the private rented sector must make homes safe where they contain serious hazards, including damp and mould. We plan to consult on how best to apply Awaab’s Law to temporary accommodation.

Through the Renters’ Rights Bill the government has also introduced powers to apply the Decent Homes Standard to the private rented sector. Included in that clause is a power to bring Temporary Accommodation into scope of the Decent Homes Standard. The government’s intention is that the Decent Homes Standard should apply to TA, subject to consultation on the detail of the new standard, including how applicable it is to TA.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps the Department is taking to support local authorities with the cost of placing people in temporary accommodation.

Answered by Rushanara Ali - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

These statistics are shocking. Homelessness levels are far too high and we are taking action to fix the current system that has left too many families without security or stability.

The Homelessness Code of Guidance is clear that temporary accommodation should not be considered suitable for a family with children under 2 if there is not enough space for a cot and that housing authorities should support families to secure a cot where needed. The legislation is clear that all temporary accommodation must be suitable, and local authorities should keep the suitability of accommodation under review. Where an individual feels that the council has applied their statutory duties incorrectly, they can take action in the courts or bring their concerns to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman.

The Deputy Prime Minister is leading cross-government work to deliver the long-term solutions we need to get us back on track to ending all forms of homelessness. This includes chairing a dedicated Inter-Ministerial Group, bringing together ministers from across government to develop a long-term strategy.

As announced at the Budget, funding for homelessness services has been increased by £233 million compared to last year (2024/25). This increased spending will help to prevent rises in the number of families in temporary accommodation and help to prevent rough sleeping. This brings total Homelessness spend to nearly £1 billion in 25/26, a record level of funding.

In addition, the £1.2 billion Local Authority Housing Fund will provide capital funding directly to English councils and is expected to provide up to 7,000 homes by 2026. It will create a lasting asset for UK nationals by building a sustainable stock of affordable housing and better-quality temporary accommodation for local communities.

The Government has also launched Emergency Accommodation Reduction Pilots, backed by £5 million, to work with 20 local councils with the highest use of Bed and Breakfast accommodation for homeless families. This will support LAs to move families into more suitable accommodation.

We are also taking action to improve standards across the housing sector, including temporary accommodation. The Renters’ Rights Bill will extend Awaab’s Law to the private rented sector which will set clear legal expectations about the timeframes within which landlords in the private rented sector must make homes safe where they contain serious hazards, including damp and mould. We plan to consult on how best to apply Awaab’s Law to temporary accommodation.

Through the Renters’ Rights Bill the government has also introduced powers to apply the Decent Homes Standard to the private rented sector. Included in that clause is a power to bring Temporary Accommodation into scope of the Decent Homes Standard. The government’s intention is that the Decent Homes Standard should apply to TA, subject to consultation on the detail of the new standard, including how applicable it is to TA.

Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:

To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what steps her Department is taking to help reduce the number of households placed in temporary accommodation.

Answered by Rushanara Ali - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Housing, Communities and Local Government)

Homelessness levels are far too high. This can have a devastating impact on those affected. We must address this and deliver long term solutions. The Government is developing a new cross-government strategy, working with mayors and councils across the country to get us back on track to ending homelessness.

As announced at the Budget, funding for homelessness services is increasing next year by £233 million compared to this year (2024/25). This increased spending will help to prevent rises in the number of families in temporary accommodation and help to prevent rough sleeping. This brings total spend to nearly £1 billion in 25/26.

More widely, we are taking action to tackle the root causes of homelessness, including delivering the biggest increase in social and affordable housebuilding in a generation and building 1.5 million new homes over the next parliament. We are also abolishing Section 21 ‘no fault’ evictions, preventing private renters being exploited and discriminated against, and empowering people to challenge unreasonable rent increases.

The Homelessness Prevention Grant (HPG) is allocated to councils across England based on local homelessness pressures and is used to meet local needs. Slough will receive £2,538,151 for 2025-26 through the HPG.

The legislation is clear that all temporary accommodation must be suitable, and local authorities should keep the suitability of accommodation under review. Where an individual feels that the council has applied their statutory duties incorrectly, they can take action in the courts or bring their concerns to the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman.

The £1.2 billion Local Authority Housing Fund will provide capital funding directly to English councils and is expected to provide up to 7,000 homes by 2026. It will create a lasting asset for UK nationals by building a sustainable stock of affordable housing for local communities. The Local Authority Housing Fund will ease local homelessness pressures, reduce spending on unsuitable B&B accommodation, and provide safe and sustainable housing for those on Afghan resettlement and Ukrainian sponsorship schemes.

Question to the Ministry of Defence:

To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, pursuant to the Answer of 17 December 2024 to Question 18945 on Ministry of Defence: Recruitment, how his Department measures the performance of those executive search firms.

Answered by Al Carns - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Ministry of Defence) (Minister for Veterans)

For Senior Civil Servant (SCS) appointments using an Executive Search firm, performance is measured as described in the commercial agreement. Each commercial agreement (via the cross-Government Executive Search RM6290 framework) includes clear terms of business and expectations, and fees are only paid on completion of agreed deliverables.

All SCS recruitment activity, including those managed by an Executive Search firm, is overseen by either a Civil Service Commissioner (SCS Pay Bands 2 to 4) or a Ministry of Defence Campaign Manager (SCS Pay Band 1), including regular meetings with appointed Executive Search firms throughout various operational stages to check in on process, candidate support and adherence to policy.

Scientific hearing on animal experiments

Garforth Town AFC and grassroots community football

Found: Yours sincerely, Rebecca Long-Bailey Member of Parliament for Salford Co-Chair of the APPG on State Pension

Found: Rebecca Long Bailey, Liz Jarvis and Sir Julian Lewis. VI. Lloyd Hatton. VII.

Found: Andy McDonald Rachael Maskell Clive Lewis Nadia Whittome Grahame Morris John McDonnell Rebecca Long Bailey

Found: Andy McDonald Rachael Maskell Clive Lewis Nadia Whittome Grahame Morris John McDonnell Rebecca Long Bailey

Found: Andy McDonald Rachael Maskell Clive Lewis Nadia Whittome Grahame Morris John McDonnell Rebecca Long Bailey

Found: Andy McDonald Rachael Maskell Clive Lewis Nadia Whittome Grahame Morris John McDonnell Rebecca Long Bailey

Found: Andy McDonald Rachael Maskell Clive Lewis Nadia Whittome Grahame Morris John McDonnell Rebecca Long Bailey

Found: Andy McDonald Rachael Maskell Clive Lewis Nadia Whittome Grahame Morris John McDonnell Rebecca Long Bailey

Found: Andy McDonald Rachael Maskell Clive Lewis Nadia Whittome Grahame Morris John McDonnell Rebecca Long Bailey

Found: Andy McDonald Rachael Maskell Clive Lewis Nadia Whittome Grahame Morris John McDonnell Rebecca Long Bailey

Found: Andy McDonald Rachael Maskell Clive Lewis Nadia Whittome Grahame Morris John McDonnell Rebecca Long Bailey

Found: Andy McDonald Rachael Maskell Clive Lewis Nadia Whittome Grahame Morris John McDonnell Rebecca Long Bailey

Found: Andy McDonald Rachael Maskell Clive Lewis Nadia Whittome Grahame Morris John McDonnell Rebecca Long Bailey

Found: Andy McDonald Rachael Maskell Clive Lewis Nadia Whittome Grahame Morris John McDonnell Rebecca Long Bailey

Found: Andy McDonald Rachael Maskell Clive Lewis Nadia Whittome Grahame Morris John McDonnell Rebecca Long Bailey

Found: Andy McDonald Rachael Maskell Clive Lewis Nadia Whittome Grahame Morris John McDonnell Rebecca Long Bailey

Submit Evidence (by 2 Mar 2025)

Following the general election, the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) announced plans to become the “digital centre of government”. It was also confirmed that the Government Digital Service, Central Digital and Data Office and Incubator for Artificial Intelligence would move from the Cabinet Office into DSIT, to “unite efforts in the digital transformation of public services under one department”.