Asked by: Manuela Perteghella (Liberal Democrat - Stratford-on-Avon)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will take steps to require pension funds to comply with the climate rules in the Paris Agreement.
Answered by Emma Reynolds - Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Occupational pension schemes with assets of £1billion or more have been required to publish annual reports setting out how they are managing climate risks and opportunities in line with the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) since 2022. These reports include, so far as they can, how their portfolio investments are consistent with the Paris Agreement goal of limiting temperature increase to 1.5 degrees above pre-industrial levels.
A growing number of financial institutions and companies are setting goals to achieve net zero emissions in their business plans, and developing climate transition plans to map out how they will achieve this. Our manifesto committed to introducing new requirements in relation to transition plans for listed companies and financial institutions, including pension schemes.
Asked by: Manuela Perteghella (Liberal Democrat - Stratford-on-Avon)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of the PIP review process on (a) vulnerable and (b) disabled claimants.
Answered by Stephen Timms - Minister of State (Department for Work and Pensions)
Regular reviews are a key feature of Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and ensure that payments accurately match the current needs of claimants. Awards can be paid at one of eight rates dependent on the claimants needs. Award durations are based on the likelihood of claimant’s needs changing.
Award durations can vary from nine months to an on-going award. Guidance ensures that those claimants on the highest level of support whose needs will not improve receive an ongoing award of PIP with a light touch review at the 10-year point.
We understand that assessments can be stressful for some claimants which is why reviews are carried out without the need for the claimant to attend an assessment where sufficient and robust evidence is provided. Where an assessment is required, our Assessment Providers will choose the most appropriate method such as a phone, video or in-person assessment.
Asked by: Manuela Perteghella (Liberal Democrat - Stratford-on-Avon)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make an estimate of the number of pensioners whose income is less than 10% above the threshold for Pension Credit who will not qualify for Winter Fuel Payment during Winter 2024-25.
Answered by Emma Reynolds - Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Information on number of pensioners whose income is less than 10% above the threshold for pension credit who will not qualify for the Winter Fuel Allowance during Winter 2024-25 is not held.
Asked by: Manuela Perteghella (Liberal Democrat - Stratford-on-Avon)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she has made an estimate of how many unpaid carers of state pension age will be affected by the removal of the universal entitlement to Winter Fuel Payments.
Answered by Emma Reynolds - Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Carers over State Pension age on low incomes can claim income-related benefits, such as Pension Credit. This can be paid to carers at a higher rate than those without caring responsibilities through the additional amount for carers. The additional amount for carers in Pension Credit is £45.60 a week, around £2,400 a year, and around 100,000 carers receive it as a part of their Pension Credit award.
We know there are low-income pensioners who aren’t claiming Pension Credit, and we urge those people to apply. This will passport them to receive Winter Fuel Payment alongside other benefits – hundreds of pounds that could really help them.
Asked by: Manuela Perteghella (Liberal Democrat - Stratford-on-Avon)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, whether she has made an assessment of the potential impact of the removal of the universal entitlement to Winter Fuel Payments on (a) vulnerable and (b) low income pensioners.
Answered by Emma Reynolds - Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
The Government took account of the equality impacts in reaching its decision to link Winter Fuel Payments to receipt of Pension Credit and other qualifying income-related benefits in England and Wales from winter 2024-25.
We know there are low-income pensioners who aren’t claiming Pension Credit, and we urge those people to apply. This will passport them to receive Winter Fuel Payment alongside other benefits – hundreds of pounds that could really help them. We will ensure that the poorest pensioners get the support they need.
Asked by: Manuela Perteghella (Liberal Democrat - Stratford-on-Avon)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will make it her policy to bring forward legislative proposals for a compensation scheme for women who are (a) born in the 1950s and (b) not notified of changes to the age at which they could claim the State Pension.
Answered by Emma Reynolds - Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
As a newly formed Government we will need time to review and consider the Ombudsman’s report along with the evidence provided during the investigation.
This Government respects the work of the Ombudsman. Now the election has concluded we need to consider the views that have been expressed on all sides.
The issues outlined in the report are significant and complex, as such they require serious deliberation. Once this work has been undertaken, the Government/we will be in a position to outline its approach.