HC Deb 29 November 1999 vol 340 cc49-50W
21. Dr. Lynne Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the Government's proposals for reducing the numbers of pensioners reliant on means-tested benefits. [99083]

Mr. Rooker

We are pressing on with our pensions reforms. Reforming the State Earnings Related Pension Scheme through the introduction of the State Second Pension is the final stage of our pensions strategy, following stakeholder pension schemes and the Minimum Income Guarantee. This will give more help in retirement to low and moderate earners, carers and some long-term disabled people with broken work records. By 2038, everyone who has a working life of employment or caring will retire with a State Pension above the means-tested threshold.

24. Mr. Kirkwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the results available from the pilot schemes to increase the rate of take-up of means-tested benefits for those past state retirement age. [99087]

Mr. Rooker

The evaluation of the pilot initiatives will be published later this year.