Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Gender Pension Gap

Wednesday 13 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 3 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Government is committed to addressing the gender pension gap through initiatives like automatic enrolment and the new state pension.
  • The Minister offered to have a further conversation with David Linden regarding concerns about auto-enrolment and the gender pension gap.
  • The Minister will ask the employment Minister to write to Caroline Nokes to provide updates on work opportunities for women and mandatory pay gap reporting.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 David Linden SNP
Benefits & Welfare Women & Equalities
Context

No specific incident or statistic mentioned but the issue of gender pension gap is raised.

Question

What discussions has she had with the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions on the gender pension gap?

Answer from Chloe Smith

The Government are committed to addressing the gender pension gap. Automatic enrolment and the new state pension are already enabling more women to build up retirement provision. Recognising that this issue derives primarily from differences in work and pay, we continue to work across Government with employers and partners to address inequalities relating to the labour market.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not provide details of any specific discussions held on the topic

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Q2 David Linden SNP
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The questioner mentions concerns from constituents about lack of government ambition regarding auto-enrolment.

Question

My constituents in Swinton regularly tell me that the gender pensions gap is exacerbated as a result of a lack of ambition on the part of the Government regarding auto-enrolment. Will the Minister meet me to hear those concerns and see how we can change that?

Answer from Chloe Smith

I am sure that the Pensions Minister, my hon. Friend the Member for Hexham (Guy Opperman), would be happy to have a further conversation on that. Automatic enrolment is important. It has made progress, but there will be more to do.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Acknowledged meeting possibility without confirming details or specific actions

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Q3 Caroline Nokes Con Romsey and Southampton North
Employment Benefits & Welfare Women & Equalities
Context

The questioner raises issues related to women's careers impacting their pension contributions.

Question

Whether it is the menopause, child rearing, or caring for elderly relatives, women are impacted across their careers in the contributions that they make to their pensions. Most of all, they need better work opportunities. What work is the Minister doing with the Minister for Employment to ensure that women's careers are at the forefront of the Government's efforts?

Answer from Chloe Smith

I will ask my colleague the employment Minister to write to my right hon. Friend to ensure she has a full update, and I touch briefly on an example such as mandatory pay gap reporting, which is helping to drive progress.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Offered to provide an update but did not specify concrete actions or timelines

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