§ Mr. Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make it his policy to publish in advance a schedule of publication dates for pension credit monthly progress reports; and if he will make a statement on the method of release of these reports to hon.Members.[164047]
§ Malcolm Wicks: We have so far published progress reports on a monthly basis, starting on 14 October 2003. Publication dates for future reports have not yet been agreed. The precise timing, frequency and format of the reports to Parliament will be reviewed in the context of Agency Business Plans for the next operational year. The method of release of reports has been to place them in the House of Commons Library and to make copies available for hon. Members in the Vote Office. More detailed information is also frequently provided to hon. Members in reply to written and oral Questions.
1127W
§ Mr. Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions pursuant to his answer of 17 March 2004, Official Report, columns 317–8W, on pension credit, if he will break down the changes. of circumstances reported by customers by (a) category of change and (b) age group of claimant. [164049]
§ Malcolm Wicks: It is not possible to break the information down in the way requested.
Membership of private pension schemes by gender within ethnic group category Occupational Personal Ethnic group Male Female All Male Female All White 35 33 34 17 9 13 Mixed 30 24 26- 11 9 10 Indian 28 23 26 12 7 10 Pakistani and Bangladeshi 9 8 9 4 1 2 Any other Asian/Asian British background 17 22 19 8 6 7 Black or Black British 25 28 27 5 4 5 Total 34 32 33 16 8 12 Notes:
1. All figures are estimates derived from the Family Resources Survey (FRS) 2002–03, the latest year for which data are available. The coverage of the survey is the UK.
2. Percentages are based on relevant ethnic group respondent population from the Family Resources Survey. Some estimates are based on small sample numbers.
3. Membership relates to those who are currently contributing to a private pension scheme or whose employer is currently contributing.
4. Stakeholder pensions are included as personal pensions.
5. Working age is ages 20–59 for women and 20–64 for men.
Source:
Family Resources Survey 2002–03.