§ Mr. Nigel JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security under what circumstances he will review the regulations surrounding frozen pensions for British citizens who have moved outside the United Kingdom; and if he will make a statement. [149629]
§ Mr. RookerUK pensions are paid to anyone who satisfies the qualifying conditions, not just UK nationals. Annual upratings have never been generally paid abroad. The exception is those countries with which we have reciprocal arrangements. We have no plans to change this.
§ Mr. Nigel JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has made of the(a) advantages and (b) disadvantages of abolishing the regulations associated with freezing pensions for British citizens who have moved outside the United Kingdom. [149628]
§ Mr. RookerTo unfreeze fully pensions paid abroad would cost an estimated £300 million a year. This would mean that we would have less to spend on pensioners living in the United Kingdom. Our priority is to focus the resources available on pensioners in the UK, especially those who are in greatest need. There are no plans to unfreeze pensions in countries where upratings are not payable.