Oral Answers to Questions

Henry Smith Excerpts

Monday 2nd November 2015 Commons Chamber

[Priti Patel]

Labour has clearly now changed its policy on sanctions, which of course it used to support. The sanctions system is kept under constant review, and we are trialling an early-warning system, as recommended by the Work and Pensions Committee. I would have thought she welcomed that. Sanctions play an important part in the labour market by supporting people, particularly those with health conditions, into work. [Interruption.] Labour Members have conveniently forgotten that ESA sanctions and ESA were put in place by a Labour Government. The sanctions system is clear, fair and effective in promoting positive behaviours to help claimants back into work.

[Henry Smith (Crawley) (Con)]

3. What assessment he has made of the effect of auto-enrolment on private sector pension saving.

[Pauline Latham (Mid Derbyshire) (Con)]

18. What assessment he has made of the effect of auto-enrolment on private sector pension saving.

[The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (Mr Shailesh Vara)]

Since the gradual introduction of automatic enrolment began in 2012, participation in workplace pension saving in the private sector has increased by 21 percentage points, from 42%, or 5.9 million workers, in 2012, to 63%, or 9.2 million workers, in 2014.

[Henry Smith]

Will my hon. Friend join me in congratulating B&CE, based in my constituency, on so expertly rolling out its people’s pension, an important provision for workers across the country?

[Mr Vara]

I am happy to congratulate B&CE on its people’s pension product and the work it does. It is important that the roll-out of automatic enrolment receives as much support as possible so that people can make choices that are right for them. I also commend my hon. Friend for his excellent work, which was evident when I visited his constituency.