§ Mr. CorbynTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what meetings have been held with pensioners' organisations concerning the review of pensions policy; and if he will make a statement. [13666]
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§ Mr. DenhamOn 17 July my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State, announced a wide-ranging review of the central areas of insecurity for elderly people, including all aspects of the basic pension and second pensions, including SERPS.
The first stage of the review has involved an extensive public consultation exercise with pensioners' organisations, employers, employees, consumer groups, the pensions industry and others. As part of that exercise I have met the following organisations: Security in Retirement, including Baroness Castle, Mr. Barry Fawcett of the Public Service Pensioners' Council, National Association of Retired Police Officers, the British Pensioners and Trade Union Association, Help the Aged and Age Concern. I have also met the National Pensioners' Convention on 3 occasions reflecting their central and specific role to ensure that the views of today's pensioners are at the heart of the review process. Departmental Officials have also held a separate meeting with them.
We have already received more than 1,100 written responses to the review, including representations from pensioner organisations, which we will consider. The Government intends to publish its initial framework for change in the first part of 1998. There will then be a further period of consultation before firm proposals are developed.