Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent assessment she has made of the adequacy of the Basic State Pension in meeting the needs of pensioners.

The State Pension is the foundation of state support for older people. Since 2010, the full yearly amount of the basic State Pension has risen by over £2,300, in cash terms. That's £720 more than if it had been uprated by prices, and £570 more than if it had been uprated by earnings since 2010. The Government has committed to the Triple Lock for the remainder of the Parliament.

People in receipt of the basic State Pension may additionally receive some earnings-related additional State Pension or, if they had been contracted out, a work based pension or a combination of the two.