§ Liz BlackmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make arrangements to protect the position of pensioners reaching pension age after 28 February 2001 who have periods of residence in Australia. [144171]
§ Mr. RookerAs I have indicated in response to letters from right hon. and hon. Members who have raised the issue on behalf of constituents, we have been considering how to make transitional arrangements. I am pleased to announce we are putting arrangements in place to protect the position of those people who have periods of residence in Australia, on their return to live permanently in the UK. We are protecting such periods of residence up to and including 5 April 2001 for the purpose of basic retirement pension and bereavement benefits.
We shall, in advance of Primary Legislation, top up the pensions of people with residence in Australia prior to 6 April 2001 with an extra statutory payment if they have less than the full rate of basic pension. We will do this when they claim their pension.
There will be no extra cost to public funds as we would have made such payments if the Agreement with Australia had continued. I am arranging to write to all Members of both Houses who have raised the issue specifically with me.
We are protecting the basic pension position of people with residence in Australia before 6 April 2001.