Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

State Pension: Cost of Living

Monday 11 July 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

  • The Government have announced a 37 billion package of support to help people with the cost of living.
  • This matter will be dealt with by an urgent question that follows, and it does not apply to the Minister.
  • The Government hope that all Members of Parliament joined in on Pension Credit Day of Action to improve pension credit take-up.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Tony Lloyd Lab
Benefits & Welfare
Context

Concern over the state pension's ability to cover rising living costs.

Question

What assessment has been made of the adequacy of the state pension in meeting the rising cost of living?

Answer from Guy Opperman

The Government have announced a £37 billion package of support to help people with the cost of living. The full basic state pension is now £2,300 a year higher than in 2010 and is supported by many other measures.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address whether the state pension adequately covers rising costs.

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Q2 Rupa Huq Lab Ealing Central and Acton
Benefits & Welfare
Context

Public concern over high severance payments for former ministers amid cost of living crisis.

Question

Given the widespread public revulsion among our constituents feeling the pinch, including state pensioners, does the Minister not see that there is an argument for the non-exercise of the provision allowing £423,000 in severance payments?

Answer from Guy Opperman

This matter will be dealt with by an urgent question that follows. I can confirm it definitely does not apply to me, and frankly I do not think it is an appropriate question for today.

Not addressed: The issue of severance payments was entirely avoided.

How: Redirected Towards Urgent Question, Personal Non-Applicability

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Q3 Tony Lloyd Lab
Benefits & Welfare
Context

Concern over the lack of pension credit recipients among eligible pensioners during cost of living increases.

Question

In the order of 1 million pensioners who should be in receipt of pension credit are still not receiving it, and they lose out on other benefits. Will he show some urgency and compassion for those struggling with cost of living increases?

Answer from Guy Opperman

I sincerely hope that the hon. Gentleman joined in on Pension Credit Day of Action on 15 June, because it is incumbent on all Members of Parliament to get behind the efforts of the Government, and successive Governments, to improve pension credit take-up. The fact of the matter is that this Government have done more to increase take-up and the number of claims than any previous Government. There is no doubt whatsoever that we should all get people to apply, with £3,300-worth of benefits applying for those receiving pension credit.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address urgency or measures to increase take-up specifically.

How: Encouragement To Join Efforts, Past Achievements

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