§ 37. Mr. GogginsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what progress he is making on the introduction of a citizenship pension for carers. [84030]
§ Mr. TimmsIn December 1998, the Government published a Green Paper, "A new contract for welfare: Partnership in Pensions". This included proposals to give carers the opportunity to build up a second pension, by awarding them flat rate credits to the new State Second Pension scheme. The proposals cover recipients of Invalid Care Allowance, carers of people receiving Attendance Allowance or Disability Living Allowance who qualify for Home Responsibilities Protection and Child Benefit recipients where the youngest child is aged five or under.
The consultation period for the Green Paper ended on 31 March 1999. Since then we have been considering the responses received and will provide further details in due course.