§ Mr. DobbinTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if it is the Government's eventual aim to have the basic state pension increased in line with average earnings. [65882]
§ Mr. TimmsThe basic State pension will remain a key building block of the pension system and will continue to be increased at least in line with prices.
§ Mr. O'HaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many British citizens live in countries in which their British state retirement pension is(a) uprated annually and (b) not uprated annually. [66097]
§ Mr. TimmsAround 390,000 pensioners living abroad receive a United Kingdom basic State Pension, which is uprated annually. Around 450,000 receive a basic UK State Pension which is frozen, either at the rate paid on leaving the UK or, if already living abroad, at the rate when first awarded.