Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many times calls to the Pension Service phone line were disconnected in each of the last two weeks.

The Department does not hold information on calls that were disconnected.

DWP continues to proactively monitor increased call demand following the broadcast on 22 February. Collaborative working with HMRC continues. We have also introduced additional measures such as adapted in-call messaging and use of Social Media to improve customer experience.

I am pleased to confirm that a Written Ministerial Statement has been made today by the Financial Secretary to the Treasury confirming that the deadline for contributions has been extended to 31 July. This is to ensure customers do not miss out on the opportunity to make voluntary NICs for the period between 5 April 2006 to the end of the 2016/17 tax year. All voluntary NICs payments for this period will now be accepted at the existing 2022/23 rates until the 31 July. This extension allows HMRC and DWP the time to process enquiries and payments to ensure people’s State Penson eligibility can be maximised.