HC Deb 05 March 2001 vol 364 cc90-1W
Mr. Bercow

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the effects of the abolition of the advance corporation tax credit on future pensions. [150488]

Miss Melanie Johnson

Our package of corporation tax reforms included measures to boost corporate investment by removing tax distortions. The withdrawal of payable tax credits on dividends was just one part of these measures. Pension funds will share in the long-term benefits from these changes to corporation tax. The overall effects of these changes on future pensions will vary depending upon many factors, such as: the type of scheme paying the pension; the take-up of private pensions; the level of future pension contributions; and the investment policy adopted by pensions fund managers.

Mr. Willetts

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many people he estimates will invest in an individual pension account between April 2001 and April 2002. [152439]

Miss Melanie Johnson

No such estimates have been made.