§ 42. Mr. Brandon-BravoTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he has taken to publicise the incentives the pension reforms provide for people to take out a personal pension.
§ 65. Mr. BurtTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he has taken to publicise the new opportunities there will be to take out a personal pension as a result of the pension reforms.
§ Mr. PortilloThe Department has just concluded a television and press advertising campaign to alert both employers and employees to the new pensions choice which are now available as a result of the Social Security Act 1986. A leaflet setting out the new pension arrangements is available from DHSS local offices and information guides for employers and employees explaining the new options in more detail can be obtained from the DHSS Leaflets Unit, PO Box 21, Stanmore Middlesex, HA7 1AY.
§ 67. Sir John FarrTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what proposals he has to increase the extra pension for those over 80 years.
§ Mr. ScottWe have no plans at present to increase the age addition to retirement pension, paid to pensioners aged 80 and over. The income support scheme provides a higher pensioner premium from age 80, worth to a single pensioner £2.40 a week more than the standard pensioner premium. This higher premium, which is directed towards pensioners on low incomes, is a more effective use of resources than increasing the age addition for all pensioners aged 80 or over, regardless of individual need.
§ 84. Mr. Ian TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what assessment he has made of the outcome to date of his pension reforms.
§ Mr. PortilloAs the full range of the new pensions options become available only from 1 July, it is not yet possible to make an assessment of the reforms.