Commons Sense

House of Commons · Ministers' Questions

Supporting British Pensioners 2026-06-29

Monday 29 June 2026 · 4 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

  • Labour Administration is committed to supporting British pensioners
  • Government plans two-stage approach to ensure comfortable retirements for future pensioners
  • Government claims to be doing a better job than the previous administration in supporting pensioners

Topics (select to filter)

Questions & Answers

Q1 Andrew Rosindell Reform Romford
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The MP inquired about recent steps taken to support British pensioners, highlighting that his borough of Havering has the second largest number of older people in Greater London. Nearly a quarter of his constituents are over 65 years old.

Question

What recent steps have been taken to support British pensioners? My constituency of Havering, with nearly a quarter of its population being over 65, is losing out on benefits. I thank the Minister for his reply but would like assurance that future Labour administrations will not target pensioners and will ensure they have a happy retirement.

Answer from Torsten Bell

This Labour Administration, like all others, is on the side of pensioners. The previous Conservative government saw pensioner poverty rise and left one in five over 75 on NHS waiting lists.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The assurance that future Labour administrations will respect pensioners was not provided.

How: Defected Earlier This Year, Disastrous Last Government

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Q2 Andrew Rosindell Reform Romford
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The MP inquired about recent steps taken to support British pensioners, highlighting that his borough of Havering has the second largest number of older people in Greater London. Nearly a quarter of his constituents are over 65 years old.

Question

Can the Minister set out what plans he has to ensure tomorrow's pensioners enjoy a decent retirement?

Answer from Torsten Bell

This Government is taking a two-stage approach: driving up returns on pension savings now and doing longer-term work through the Pensions Commission to ensure tomorrow's pensioners enjoy comfortable retirements. The commission will bring forward its report early next year.

Partly answered

Not addressed: The question asked for specific plans, but only a two-stage approach was mentioned without details.

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Q3 Luke Akehurst Lab North Durham
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The MP inquired about the plans to ensure that workers retiring in 2050 can look forward to comfortable retirements.

Question

Can the Minister set out what plans he has to make sure that today's workers—tomorrow's pensioners—enjoy a decent retirement?

Answer from Torsten Bell

The Government is taking a two-stage approach: driving up returns on pension savings now and doing longer-term work through the Pensions Commission to ensure tomorrow's pensioners enjoy comfortable retirements. The commission will bring forward its report early next year.

Partly answered

Not addressed: Specific plans were not provided, only a two-stage approach was mentioned without details.

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Q4 Mark Garnier Con Wyre Forest
Benefits & Welfare
Context

The MP criticized the current government's actions towards pensioners, highlighting delays and changes that create uncertainty among savers and pensioners.

Question

Has the Minister ceded ground to his successor by delaying reforms to pensions dashboards, changing inheritance tax on pension pots, and chasing hard-up pensioners for their winter fuel allowance? Is he hopeful his successor will do a better job?

Answer from Torsten Bell

This Government is doing a much better job than the previous one in supporting pensioners. We are driving up the state pension and coming forward with reforms to our defined-contribution pension system, which the previous government left on ice.

Not addressed: The question about his successor was not directly addressed; instead, criticism of the previous government was provided.

How: Left On Ice, Biggest Betrayal

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