Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Shailesh Vara and Jim Cunningham

Monday 11th July 2016 Commons Chamber

[Mr Jim Cunningham (Coventry South) (Lab)]

2. What assessment he has made of the potential effect of the UK leaving the EU on British pensioners living overseas.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Mr Shailesh Vara)]

There will be no immediate changes, as a result of the referendum, in the circumstances of British pensioners. Negotiations for Britain’s future relationship with Europe will begin under the new Prime Minister.

[Mr Cunningham]

What discussions has the Minister had with European countries about the exchange rate and its effect on pensioners abroad?

[Mr Vara]

As I say, the negotiations proper will begin when we have a new Prime Minister. In the meantime, we have a European unit that has been set up in the Cabinet Office, and it will report to the new Cabinet in due course.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Shailesh Vara and Jim Cunningham

Monday 9th May 2016 Commons Chamber

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Mr Shailesh Vara)]

Women affected by changes made in 2011 face a maximum increase in state pension age of 18 months, rather than two years, as a result of a Government concession, and will retire under the new state pension, which will be more generous for many than the previous system. No further transitional arrangements are planned.

[Mr Cunningham]

Will the new Secretary of State look again at these transitional arrangements? Will he also see whether or not the cost of this could be offset by some adjustments in his budget?

[Mr Vara]

The Secretary of State made it absolutely clear earlier in these questions that he has no intention of revisiting this issue.