Asked by: Matt Rodda (Labour - Reading Central)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what progress she has made on taking steps to reduce delays in the State Pension system.
Answered by Alex Burghart - Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
DWP does not have any UK State Pension claims outstanding where payment is due, other than for those customers where further information is required or evidence is awaited.
Asked by: Matt Rodda (Labour - Reading Central)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what progress her Department has made on the development of Collective Defined Contribution pensions in the UK.
Answered by Alex Burghart - Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
Collective Defined Contribution (CDC) pension schemes have the potential to transform the UK pensions landscape and deliver better retirement outcomes for pension savers. That is why we legislated for single and connected employer CDC schemes which came into effect on 1 August 2022. My department continues to engage with those who are keen to extend CDC provision to help us develop an appropriate framework which would allow well designed and well-run multi-employer and master-trust CDC schemes to operate.
Asked by: Matt Rodda (Labour - Reading Central)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what steps she is taking to ensure the adequacy of pensions payments in future years.
Answered by Alex Burghart - Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
The new State Pension was introduced in 2016 and was designed to correct some of the historic unfairness in the previous system, in particular for women, self-employed people and lower paid workers. It forms a clear foundation for individuals alongside workplace and private savings to provide for the retirement they want. Together, the new State Pension and Automatic Enrolment into workplace pensions provides a more inclusive system that supports retirement saving for the long term.
Asked by: Matt Rodda (Labour - Reading Central)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what recent progress has been made on pensions dashboards.
Answered by Alex Burghart - Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
Pensions dashboards will make it easier for people to see their pensions information, including their State Pension, in one place online at the touch of a smartphone, laptop, or computer at home. This will help to put people in greater control of their pensions and reconnect them with any lost pension pots.
The Government has made significant progress in facilitating the delivery of pensions dashboards, working in close collaboration with key delivery partners including the Pensions Dashboards Programme, which is part of the Money and Pensions Service, the Pensions Regulator and the Financial Conduct Authority.
Following extensive consultation with industry and other interested parties, the Department laid the draft Pensions Dashboards Regulations 2022, in Parliament, on 17 October 2022. This is an important milestone, setting out detailed requirements for occupational pension schemes and for organisations seeking to provide a qualifying pensions dashboard service. The Financial Conduct Authority intends to publish final rules for personal and stakeholder pensions shortly. The Pensions Regulator is providing support to help schemes meet their connection deadlines, including through guidance and writing to schemes at least 12 months ahead of their deadline.
The Pensions Dashboards Programme is responsible for delivering the digital architecture that will make dashboards work and is due to publish its next progress update report in the coming weeks. The overall delivery timetable remains on track with the Programme focused on building and testing the digital architecture to enable the first cohort of schemes to connect from April 2023.
Asked by: Matt Rodda (Labour - Reading Central)
Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to page 71 of her Department’s Annual Report and Accounts 2021-22, HC 193, what recent progress her Department made on the investigation into errors in records relating to home responsibilities protection; what estimate she has made of when the investigations will be complete; how she plans to inform the House of the results of the investigation; and if she will make a statement.
Answered by Alex Burghart - Shadow Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
We are continuing to support HM Revenue and Customs to investigate incorrect National Insurance records relating to Home Responsibilities Protection. Although a small number of cases have been identified, the vast majority of customers will not be affected.
Most customers can check their National Insurance record online which will show their qualifying year status, or they can visit GOV.UK for more information. We will provide an update to Parliament in due course.