Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

UK Pensioners: Commonwealth Countries

Tuesday 31 January 2023 · 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 1 Partly answered 2 Not answered 0

Key points

  • Ministerial support for UK pensioners in Commonwealth countries is provided on par with any British national abroad, with 24/7 consular assistance available.
  • Ruth Jones highlighted the issue of UK pensioners in other countries not receiving annual inflation-related pension increases.
  • James Duddridge inquired about the relocation of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association's international branch due to lack of legislative change from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Ruth Jones Lab Newport West and Islwyn
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The MP is concerned about the support provided to British pensioners living in Commonwealth countries.

Question

What steps he is taking to provide consular support for UK pensioners in Commonwealth countries?

Answer from Anne-Marie Trevelyan

We provide support to British pensioners in Commonwealth countries on the same basis as we do for any British national in foreign or Commonwealth countries. Our consular staff are contactable 24/7, 365 days a year and strive to provide the right tailored assistance to those who request our help, doing more for those who need more help.

Answered
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Q2 Ruth Jones Lab Newport West and Islwyn
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The MP highlights the issue of UK pensioners not receiving annual inflation-related increases in their pensions, affecting around 1.2 million people.

Question

Newport West is home to people from across the globe, many of whom have family living in other parts of the world. Those relatives are some of the 1.2 million UK pensioners living abroad, about half of whom do not receive the annual increases in their pensions related to inflation. Will the Minister answer Labour's call to right that wrong?

Answer from Anne-Marie Trevelyan

I will take note of the particular issues and raise them with the Department for Work and Pensions, which is responsible for those policy areas.

Partly answered

Not addressed: specific measures or commitments to address pension increases

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Q3 James Duddridge Con
Foreign Affairs
Context

The MP is concerned about the potential move of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association's international branch due to lack of legislative support from the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.

Question

Co-ordination on all Commonwealth issues is assisted by the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association's international branch, which is located in London. It is about to move, because the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office is not bringing forward legislation to change its status. Will my right hon. Friend speak to other Ministers to resolve the situation as quickly as possible, before we lose that important asset?

Answer from Anne-Marie Trevelyan

My hon. Friend will, I hope, be aware that there was a meeting a couple of weeks ago with my fellow Minister Lord Goldsmith to discuss the issue in more detail. Officials are working closely with him to find a resolution.

Partly answered

Not addressed: immediate action or commitment for resolving the relocation issue

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