§ 64. Mrs. Chalkerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what steps he is taking to reduce the number of retirement pensioners dependent on supplementary benefit.
§ Mr. OrmeWe have introduced our new earnings-related pensions scheme which comes into force next April. From that date contributors will begin to build up entitlement to higher levels of pension so that when the scheme matures, national insurance pensions will be comparable with those payable by good occupational schemes. Over the years, this will progressively but significantly reduce the numbers of pensioners dependent on supplementary benefit.