HC Deb 08 June 1998 vol 313 cc467-8W
6. Mr. Clifton-Brown

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will make a statement on the proportion of the population which will be covered by the extension of second-tier pensions. [42933]

Ms Harman

For the second pensions, the Government have two objectives:

  • All those who could be paying into a second pension do so, and;
  • when they do pay into a second pension they get good value for money.

Today, we are publishing a draft bill, 'Pension Sharing on Divorce' which will ensure that, on divorce, women will get a fair share of pension rights.

32. Mr. Amess

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what recent representations he has received from organisations representing pensioners on pension levels. [42959]

Mr. Denham

The Department does not maintain information in the form requested. However, the Pensions Review has received over 2,000 written responses as part of its public consultation exercise; 652 of these responses commented on the uprating of State pensions. In addition, Ministers have personally met Pensioner Groups—such as National Pensions Convention, Public Service Pensioners Council, Pensioners Voice, British—Pensioners Trade Union Action Association, National Association of Retired Police Officers, National Federation of British Telecom and Post Office Pensioners and Southwark Pensioners Action Group—as well as groups representing the interests of pensioners—such as Age Concern and Help the Aged—to listen to their views.

As we promised in our manifesto, we have uprated the basic pension at least in line with prices. From April, the basic pension is £103.40 a week for a couple and £64.70 for a single pensioner. We have also provided additional help of £400 million to help pensioners with their fuel bills for last winter and next winter.

The Government's pensions review is examining the value of the basic State pension including the future uprating of pensions. The Review will report later this year.

Mr. Webb

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the effect on current revenues from employee and employer national insurance contributions if all those currently accruing rights to a SERPS pension were to contract out into an approved personal pension. [44629]

Mr. Denham

The additional revenue forgone in terms of National Insurance rebates for the tax year 1998/99 is estimated to be £4 billion.