Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Pension Auto-enrolment

Monday 6 June 2022 · 3 questions

Summarised by AI from the official record, so it can contain mistakes.

Read the full transcript on Parliament.uk

At a glance

Answered 0 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Since 2012, in the Wantage constituency, 14,000 local men and women have been automatically enrolled into a workplace pension.
  • The Government plans to proceed with the 2017 auto-enrolment review by lowering the eligibility age and making contributions from the first 1 earned.
  • In Kensington, 36,000 people have been signed up through auto-enrolment, which is considered a significant number.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Felicity Buchan
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The MP inquired about the success of workplace pension auto-enrolment in her constituency since its inception.

Question

How many people have been auto-enrolled in workplace pensions in Kensington constituency since 2012?

Answer from Guy Opperman

Since 2012, in the Wantage constituency, 14,000 local men and women have been automatically enrolled into a workplace pension. We thank the 2,410 local employers who are helping these employees to save from 8% of their earnings.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The number for Kensington constituency was not provided; instead, figures for Wantage were given.

How: Changed Subject

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Q2 David Johnston
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The MP inquired about the effectiveness of the auto-enrolment policy, specifically regarding contribution levels necessary for secure retirement.

Question

Auto-enrolment has been one of the most successful Government policies for the workplace in decades, but my hon. Friend will know that contributions are often not yet at the levels needed for people to have a secure retirement. What steps is he taking to encourage an increase in contribution levels?

Answer from Guy Opperman

We keep all policies under review, and auto-enrolment got to 8% only in 2019. We will proceed with the 2017 auto-enrolment review by lowering the eligibility age and making it from the first £1 earned in due course. We will also look at all matters in terms of contribution rates on a longer-term basis as time moves on.

Partly answered

Not addressed: No specific steps to encourage higher contributions were detailed, only that policies are under review.

How: Vague Commitment

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Q3 Felicity Buchan
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The MP inquired about the current status of workplace pension auto-enrolment in her constituency and asked for measures to increase participation.

Question

I understand that 36,000 people in Kensington have been signed up through auto-enrolment, which is great news. What can my hon. Friend do to ensure that even more people in Kensington are signed up?

Answer from Guy Opperman

Where Kensington leads, the rest of the country follows. There is no doubt that 36,000 is a phenomenal number of employees who are saving the 8% through auto-enrolment. My hon. Friend will be aware that, in her community and in this country, less than 40% of women were saving in a workplace pension prior to 2012, and it is now 86%. Less than 24% of young people were saving in a workplace pension, and it is now 84%. This is a game-changing policy developed under successive Governments but pioneered by this Conservative Government.

Not addressed: No specific measures to increase enrolment were provided; instead, general praise was given.

How: Changed Subject

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