Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Cost of Living: Pensioner Support

Monday 6 March 2023 · 5 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

  • Government will provide a 10.1% increase in state pension and pension credit from April.
  • Pensioners will receive a 300 cost of living payment this winter, and those on pension credit will get an additional 900.
  • Work is ongoing on the pensions dashboard, and the Minister will update the House at the earliest opportunity.

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Aaron Bell
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The question addresses the steps being taken by the government to assist pensioners facing higher living expenses.

Question

What steps his Department is taking to help pensioners with increases in living costs?

Answer from Laura Trott

The Government are committed to helping pensioners with the increased costs of living. From April, pensioners will receive the largest ever cash increase in the state pension, and pension credit will also be uprated by 10.1%.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not address additional schemes beyond the stated increases

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Q2 Louie French Con Old Bexley and Sidcup
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The MP inquires about further support available to pensioners affected by the Ultra Low Emission Zone tax in Greater London.

Question

I strongly welcome the additional support His Majesty's Government are providing to all households across the country, especially pensioners, with the costs of living. In contrast, many pensioners in Bexley are facing additional concerns because of Labour's outrageous ultra low emission zone tax raid on drivers in Greater London. Will my hon. Friend outline what further support is available to pensioners through the likes of pension credit and join me in Bexley to promote it so that more people sign up for this support?

Answer from Laura Trott

The ULEZ is an outrageous attack on pensioners who can least afford it, and I pay tribute to my hon. Friend for the amazing work he is doing to fight it and to help all pensioners in his constituency. I would be delighted to visit him and see that work for myself.

Not addressed: Did not outline additional support schemes or confirm willingness to promote them, instead focusing on criticism of ULEZ

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Q3 Aaron Bell
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The MP inquires about other schemes the Government are putting in place to help with living costs for pensioners.

Question

I thank the Minister for her answer. With 26,500 pensioners in the borough of Newcastle-under-Lyme, the 10.1% increase in the state pension and pension credit will be very welcome, but what other schemes are the Government putting in place to help people with the cost of living at this time?

Answer from Laura Trott

Pensioners will receive a further £300 cost of living payment this winter and all on pension credit will receive a further £900.

Answered
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Q4 Stephen Timms Lab East Ham
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The MP questions about a delay in the rollout of the pensions dashboard and seeks an urgent update before the Easter recess.

Question

The pensions dashboard will provide important support. It was due to be rolled out from August, but last week the Minister, very disappointingly, announced a delay and we do not now know when it will be implemented. Is it a delay of weeks or months, or even longer? Will the Minister give us a full, urgent update before the Easter recess?

Answer from Laura Trott

Work is ongoing and I will come back to the House at the earliest available opportunity.

Not addressed: Did not provide a specific timeline or update on when the implementation would occur

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Q5 Mike Amesbury Lab
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The MP raises concerns about the impact on Women Against State Pension Inequality (WASPI) due to changes in pension regulations.

Question

Since 2015, more than 219,000 1950s-born WASPI women—Women Against State Pension Inequality—have passed away. What more are Ministers doing to ensure that WASPI women get the pensions they deserve?

Answer from Laura Trott

The hon. Gentleman will know that the new state pension is very beneficial for women. We know that under automatic enrolment, more women than ever have got a private pension. On the specific matter he asked about, he will know that there is ongoing work by the ombudsman, and I cannot comment until that is completed.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Did not specify additional measures beyond general statements

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