Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of paying state pensions on a fixed date in every month rather than a four weekly cycle.

The position on the payment of the State Pension has not changed under this Government, the coalition or its predecessors.

We receive very few representations on fixed date payments of the State Pension. While we understand it may be preferred by some, and we do keep the method of payment under review, there are no plans to change the current payment periods.