§ 19. Andrew SelousTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on Government plans to reform state pensions. [132619]
§ Malcolm WicksWe have done much to improve the State Pension. The introduction of State Second Pension focuses help on those with low to moderate earnings, and on qualifying carers and long term-disabled people who have broken work records.
We have increased the basic State Pension by more than the RPI for the last three years. We have also guaranteed to increase the basic State Pension in future years by 2.5 per cent. or the increase in the September Retail Prices Index whichever is the higher.
In addition, the new Pension Credit is designed to ensure that pensioners benefit from their savings. These initiatives will help provide greater security for tomorrow's pensioners.
We will continue to look at sensible and affordable ways of improving the State Pension, such as giving a better deal to people who defer their State Pension.