Pensions Triple Lock

Debate between Pat McFadden and Rachael Maskell

Tuesday 13th October 2026 Commons Chamber

[Pat McFadden]

I refer to our introduction of pension credit, which has done significant amounts to reduce pensioner poverty. Claims have increased by more than 30,000 in recent times. Under the plans that I have set out, pensioner poverty is set to fall. In addition, we have asked the Pensions Commission to look at what further measures may be needed to ensure that we bear down on pensioner poverty in future, because security in retirement is vital for older people.

[Rachael Maskell (York Central) (Lab/Co-op)]

I welcome the Government’s ambition to have free personal care and to keep the triple lock for the duration of this Parliament. However, the Secretary of State will know that I have deep concern about the levels of pensioner poverty, with 1.7 million pensioners making difficult choices and 880,000 pensioners not claiming the pension credit that they could. Will the Secretary of State raise his ambition to end pensioner poverty in this Parliament and ensure that we find mechanisms to give sufficiency to those pensioners not claiming their pension credit? Will he also publish an impact assessment so we can have a real understanding of the consequences of the proposals?

[Pat McFadden]

I pay tribute to my hon. Friend for campaigning on this issue. We published a document on 29 September showing that pensioner poverty was set to fall under the plans. We are not complacent about that. That is why we have asked the Pensions Commission to look at what further measures may be needed to reduce pensioner poverty in future years.

Oral Answers to Questions

Debate between Pat McFadden and Rachael Maskell

Monday 27th October 2025 Commons Chamber

[Pat McFadden]

I recently spoke at an event in Parliament hosted by that organisation. I am pleased to say that its report said there had been a small drop in the use of food banks over the past year. We have put the household support fund, now the crisis and resilience fund, on a proper basis for the next three years to support those families in the most desperate need.

[Rachael Maskell (York Central) (Ind)]

Giving sick and disabled people agency and drawing on lived experience sets the only path to getting policy right, so that they can access work appointments and get out of their homes, avoiding worklessness, health decline and isolation, with their mobility support needs recognised through PIP. Further to the Minister’s previous answer, will he ensure that any policy reforms to PIP mobility payments are fully co-produced with sick and disabled people?

Government Resilience Action Plan

Debate between Pat McFadden and Rachael Maskell

Tuesday 8th July 2025 Commons Chamber

[Pat McFadden]

As the decision maker for the National Security and Investment Act 2021, I deal with these issues every day. They involve the protection of our vital infrastructure and defences, the promotion of our economic wellbeing and ensuring that this country is a good home for inward investment.

[Rachael Maskell (York Central) (Lab/Co-op)]

Climate change is very real for us all, so building a resilience strategy is absolutely crucial. In a city that floods so regularly, it is drought that we are most concerned about, not least with the hosepipe ban being introduced this Friday. Will the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster ensure that mayoral authorities introduce Living With Water plans so that we can balance flooding and drought and ensure that we have the correct supplies of water throughout the year?

[Pat McFadden]

It is really important that we have more investment in our water infrastructure. This country has not built a reservoir for many, many years, but the new investment plans reached with the water companies since the election will begin to change that picture and improve the deep strength of our energy and water infrastructure, which I referred to in my statement.