Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment her Department has made of the financial security of older women in (a) Vale of Glamorgan constituency and (b) the UK; and what steps she is taking to end discrimination due to (i) age and (ii) gender.

As announced in the recent Get Britain Working White Paper, we are reforming Jobcentre Plus and creating a new Jobs and Careers service that will enable everyone, regardless of age or gender, to access support to find good, meaningful work, and support to help them progress in work or increase their earnings.

For those above state pension age, the new State Pension addresses historically poorer outcomes for women, low earners and self-employed people. This means, on average, women on the new State pension are receiving around 98% of the amount received by men.

The government have made a commitment to the Triple Lock for the entirety of this Parliament which will mean spending on State Pensions is forecast to rise by over £31 billion and will see pensioners’ yearly incomes being up to £1,900 higher.

Pension Credit provides a safety net for low-income pensioners and those with additional needs, such as those with a severe disability, caring responsibility, responsibility for a child or certain housing costs. Around 1.4 million pensioners are in receipt of the invaluable help that Pension Credit provides.

For those below State Pension age, support is also available through the working age welfare system. In addition, further help is available to eligible over 50s on Universal Credit, through Midlife-life MOTs delivered in Jobcentres and online, which provide an opportunity to review health, finances and skills and signpost to suitable support. There are also over 70 dedicated 50PLUS champions, working across all 37 Jobcentre Districts.

In Vale of Glamorgan, Employer and Partnership Teams in Jobcentres work with a range of employers and partners to enhance the skills and employment support available locally for customers, including women of all ages. The Department for Work and Pensions is also working across government, and through regular engagement with employers, to encourage positive attitudes towards older workers and to advocate for a more diverse, inclusive, and multigenerational workforce.