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Baroness Winterton of Doncaster
Type
House
Session
Year
Department
Member
Primary member
Answering member
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Winterton of Doncaster, Baroness (100)
Legislative stage
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To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which payments made to holocaust victims are exempted from the calculations made to determine eligibility for the pension credit.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions which payments made to holocaust victims are exempted from the calculations made to determine eligibility for the pension credit.
Asked by
Lord Grayling
(Conservative)
Answered by
Baroness Winterton of Doncaster
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Work and Pensions
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
15 December 2008
For answer on
17 December 2008
Answered on
2 March 2009
Lump sum payments made to compensate those who were slave labourers, forced labourers or suffered personal injuries or property loss during the second world war are fully disregarded when calculating entitlement to pension credit.In addition payments made to parents whose child died during the second world war are fully disregarded when calculating entitlement to pension credit.Pensions paid by the German or Austrian Government which are the equivalent of the British state pension are fully taken into account. However pensions paid under special provisions by the German or Austrian Government to victims of National Socialist persecution are taken into account subject to a £10 disregard when calculating entitlement to pension credit.Payments made to holocaust victims are not related to the German pensions paid to certain individuals who fled here from Nazi Germany as children before the start of the second world war in an initiative known as the 'Kindertransport'. Recent legislation in the Pensions Act 2008 has enabled these persons to opt to revoke their pre-1948 British national insurance contributions while retaining their British state pension with the effect of improving their German pension entitlement.
Subjects
Pension credit
Date
2 March 2009
Reference
488 c1305W; 244734
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the income distribution of those who will be automatically enrolled into a personal account under the Pensions Bill 2007 is.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the income distribution of those who will be automatically enrolled into a personal account under the Pensions Bill 2007 is.
Asked by
Lord Grayling
(Conservative)
Answered by
Baroness Winterton of Doncaster
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Work and Pensions
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
14 January 2009
For answer on
19 January 2009
Answered on
2 March 2009
The Pensions Act 2008 requires employers to automatically enrol eligible workers into a qualifying work-based pension arrangement. Employers will choose the qualifying scheme they use, which could be the new personal accounts scheme.The information in the table summarises the income distribution for those aged 22 to state pension age, working in the private sector, not already saving into a work-based pension scheme and earning more than £5,035 using data from the 2007 annual survey of hours and earnings.
| Income distribution of those eligible for automatic enrolment into a work-based pension scheme | |
|---|---|
| Salary band | Percentage/£ |
| Average income | |
| £5,000-£9,999 | 19 |
| £10,000-£14,999 | 22 |
| £15,000-£19,999 | 21 |
| £20,000-£24,999 | 14 |
| £25,000-£29,999 | 9 |
| £30,000-£34,999 | 5 |
| £35,000-£39,999 | 3 |
| £40,000-£44,999 | 2 |
| £45,000+ | 4 |
| Median (£) | 17,000 |
| Mean (£) | 21,000 |
| Note: | |
| All those aged 22 to state pension age who work in the private sector, are not already saving into a work-based pension scheme and earn more than £5,035. Totals may not sum due to rounding. | |
| Source: | |
| Annual survey of hours and earnings—2007. |
Subjects
National employment savings trust scheme
Date
2 March 2009
Reference
488 c1305-6W; 249449
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate to the nearest whole pound the weekly pension income from a personal accounts pension for a single person auto-enrolling into a personal account in 2012 at the age of (a) 22, (b) 32, (c) 42 and...
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate to the nearest whole pound the weekly pension income from a personal accounts pension for a single person auto-enrolling into a personal account in 2012 at the age of (a) 22, (b) 32, (c) 42 and...
Asked by
Lord Grayling
(Conservative)
Answered by
Baroness Winterton of Doncaster
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Work and Pensions
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
14 January 2009
For answer on
19 January 2009
Answered on
2 March 2009
The following table shows the expected gross weekly private pension and total net weekly income for a male in the age and earnings groups requested.
| Retirement income for an individual who starts saving in 2012 | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | ||||
| Age in 2012 | ||||
| 22 | 32 | |||
| Salary in 2012 | Gross private pension income | Net total income) | Gross private pension income | Net total income |
| £11,500 | 24 | 186 | 17 | 181 |
| £12,500 | 28 | 189 | 20 | 183 |
| £13,500 | 31 | 191 | 23 | 185 |
| £14,500 | 35 | 195 | 26 | 188 |
| £15,500 | 39 | 198 | 29 | 190 |
| £16,500 | 43 | 201 | 32 | 193 |
| £17,500 | 47 | 204 | 35 | 196 |
| £18,500 | 51 | 207 | 37 | 198 |
| £19,500 | 55 | 210 | 40 | 201 |
| £20,500 | 59 | 213 | 43 | 203 |
| £21,500 | 63 | 216 | 46 | 206 |
| £22,500 | 66 | 219 | 49 | 208 |
| £ | ||||
| Age in 2012 | ||||
| 42 | 52 | |||
| Salary in 2012 | Gross private pension income) | Net total income | Gross private pension income | Net total income |
| £11,500 | 12 | 169 | 7 | 164 |
| £12,500 | 14 | 172 | 8 | 165 |
| £13,500 | 16 | 174 | 9 | 167 |
| £14,500 | 18 | 177 | 10 | 168 |
| £15,500 | 20 | 180 | 11 | 170 |
| £16,500 | 22 | 182 | 12 | 172 |
| £17,500 | 24 | 185 | 14 | 175 |
| £18,500 | 25 | 187 | 15 | 178 |
| £19,500 | 27 | 190 | 16 | 181 |
| £20,500 | 29 | 192 | 17 | 183 |
| £21,500 | 31 | 195 | 18 | 185 |
| £22,500 | 33 | 197 | 19 | 188 |
| Note: | ||||
| These examples assume an annual management charge of 0.5 per cent., standard assumptions about factors such as investment growth and a lifestyled fund and phasing of contributions over a three year period. The whole of the pension pot is annuitised using RPI linked annuities, assuming the annuitant is male. Individuals are assumed to start working at the age of 22, with a state pension age of 68 and to contribute 5 per cent. (including tax relief) of their qualifying earnings and to receive 3 per cent. of their qualifying earnings from their employer. Net total income is total retirement income after tax for private pension income, basic state pension, second state pension and income related benefits. Figures are in 2008-09 earnings terms |
Subjects
National employment savings trust scheme
Date
2 March 2009
Reference
488 c1306-7W; 249450
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate the weekly income, to the nearest whole pound, from the basic state pension and pension credit for a single person who began work in 2012 and who retired at 68 with a full history of national...
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate the weekly income, to the nearest whole pound, from the basic state pension and pension credit for a single person who began work in 2012 and who retired at 68 with a full history of national...
Asked by
Lord Grayling
(Conservative)
Answered by
Baroness Winterton of Doncaster
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Work and Pensions
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
14 January 2009
For answer on
19 January 2009
Answered on
24 February 2009
It is projected that a single person aged 25 in 2012, who earned median earnings throughout their working life would receive £159 basic state pension plus state second pension on reaching state pension age of 68 in 2055. They would not be entitled to pension credit. This figure is not affected by different non-pension savings scenarios, Figures are in 2008-09 earnings terms.
Subjects
State retirement pensions
Date
24 February 2009
Reference
488 c631W; 249442
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what information pensioners are required to provide to his Department to receive winter fuel payments.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what information pensioners are required to provide to his Department to receive winter fuel payments.
Asked by
Lord Grayling
(Conservative)
Answered by
Baroness Winterton of Doncaster
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Work and Pensions
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
13 January 2009
For answer on
15 January 2009
Answered on
26 January 2009
The vast majority, over 95 per cent., of winter fuel payments are made automatically, based on information already held in DWP records. In these cases there is no need for an individual to provide further information or to make a claim.However there are a small group of people who may qualify for winter fuel payments but cannot be identified by DWP records. This is usually because they are not in receipt of a state pension or other benefit administered by the DWP. These people need to complete a claim form so that their eligibility can be assessed.Information required by the winter fuel payment claim form includes: name, address, date of birth, national insurance number and bank/building society details so that we may make a payment direct into a person's bank account. People are also asked to declare, for example, whether there is anyone else aged 60 or over in their household and whether they are in hospital or a care home. The claim form is available from the Pension Service website.
Subjects
Winter fuel payment
Date
26 January 2009
Reference
487 c87-8W; 248738
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pension credit applications were not processed within 10 days in each of the last three years.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pension credit applications were not processed within 10 days in each of the last three years.
Asked by
Lord Grayling
(Conservative)
Answered by
Baroness Winterton of Doncaster
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Work and Pensions
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
7 October 2008
For answer on
9 October 2008
Answered on
26 November 2008
While the majority of claims are processed within the actual average clearance time target, there are some cases where it is necessary to request additional information from the customer to ensure they get all the money to which they are entitled.The time taken to process a claim does not affect the start date of payments. Payment will be backdated to the point the claim was first submitted.People should claim as soon as they think they are eligible. From October customers can claim four benefits in one free phone call: state pension, pension credit, council tax benefit and housing benefit. In some circumstances, we will also arrange face to face visits to help with completion of the claim.
| Pension credit clearance times | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-208 | ¹2008-09 | |
| Target (days) | ¹AACT 10 | AACT 10 | AACT 15 | AACT 15 |
| Total processed | 427,748 | 334,501 | 280,097 | 142,293 |
| Not processed within target | 52,665 | 68,142 | 83,182 | 38,979 |
| Percentage not processed within target | 12.0 | 20.0 | 30.0 | 27.0 |
| AACT (days) | 8.8 | 11.9 | 15.6 | 14.6 |
| ¹ Year to date (September) | ||||
| ² AACT - Actual Average Clearance Time | ||||
| Source: | ||||
| Pension Service Legacy System |
Subjects
Pension credit
Date
26 November 2008
Reference
483 c2016W; 226155
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) when it became possible for an out-of-work man aged between 60 to 64 years old to claim pension credit instead of jobseeker's allowance;
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) when it became possible for an out-of-work man aged between 60 to 64 years old to claim pension credit instead of jobseeker's allowance;
Asked by
Lord Grayling
(Conservative)
Answered by
Baroness Winterton of Doncaster
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Work and Pensions
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
13 November 2008
For answer on
17 November 2008
Answered on
26 November 2008
Pension Credit was introduced on the 6 October 2003, prior to its introduction men aged between 60 and 64 were able to choose whether they claimed the Minimum Income Guarantee (Income Support for those aged 60 or over) or Jobseekers Allowance—provided they met the eligibility criteria. When Pension Credit replaced the Minimum Income Guarantee, men in this group could continue to choose between claiming Pension Credit or Jobseekers Allowance, again provided they met the eligibility criteria.The age from which people can get Pension Credit will gradually increase from 60 to 65 between 2010 and 2020. This is in line with women's state pension age which is increasing to 65, the same as for men.Before Pension Credit was introduced, unemployed men aged between 60 to 64 may have been eligible for one or more of the following benefits dependant on their circumstances: Income Support, Jobseekers Allowance, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit, DLA, Incapacity Benefit, Bereavement Allowance, Widowed Parent's Allowance, Carer's Allowance and Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit. These benefits remain available to men in this age group, with the exception of Income Support.
Subjects
Pension credit
Date
26 November 2008
Reference
483 c2009-10W; 236959
House
House of Commons
(2) what benefits an unemployed man aged between 60 and 64 years old was entitled to claim before the introduction of pension credit.
(2) what benefits an unemployed man aged between 60 and 64 years old was entitled to claim before the introduction of pension credit.
Asked by
Lord Grayling
(Conservative)
Answered by
Baroness Winterton of Doncaster
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Work and Pensions
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
13 November 2008
For answer on
17 November 2008
Answered on
26 November 2008
Pension Credit was introduced on the 6 October 2003, prior to its introduction men aged between 60 and 64 were able to choose whether they claimed the Minimum Income Guarantee (Income Support for those aged 60 or over) or Jobseekers Allowance—provided they met the eligibility criteria. When Pension Credit replaced the Minimum Income Guarantee, men in this group could continue to choose between claiming Pension Credit or Jobseekers Allowance, again provided they met the eligibility criteria.The age from which people can get Pension Credit will gradually increase from 60 to 65 between 2010 and 2020. This is in line with women's state pension age which is increasing to 65, the same as for men.Before Pension Credit was introduced, unemployed men aged between 60 to 64 may have been eligible for one or more of the following benefits dependant on their circumstances: Income Support, Jobseekers Allowance, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit, DLA, Incapacity Benefit, Bereavement Allowance, Widowed Parent's Allowance, Carer's Allowance and Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit. These benefits remain available to men in this age group, with the exception of Income Support.
Subjects
Pension credit
Date
26 November 2008
Reference
483 c2009-10W; 236960
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many claims for the state pension took more than 60 days to process in each of the last 10 years.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many claims for the state pension took more than 60 days to process in each of the last 10 years.
Asked by
Lord Grayling
(Conservative)
Answered by
Baroness Winterton of Doncaster
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Work and Pensions
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
7 October 2008
For answer on
9 October 2008
Answered on
26 November 2008
Currently, 87 per cent. of people claim their state pension by phone, prompted by a letter from PDCS some weeks ahead of their retirement date. 55 per cent. of telephone claims are handled in 'one touch'—that is, the award of state pension is made during the initial phone call. The remaining cases take longer as further inquiries are made; or, in the period immediately following a change of tax year, while national insurance contribution records are updated by HMRC. This affects achievement of the clearance target.Since October 2008, customers can claim four benefits in one free phone call: state pension, pension credit, council tax benefit and housing benefit. In some circumstances, we will also arrange face to face visits to help people with making their claims.State pension data are only available from 2004 and not for the whole of the previous 10 years, as requested.
| State pension clearance times | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004-2005 | 2005-2006 | 2006-2007 | 2007-2008 | ¹ 2008-09 | |
| Target | 95 per cent. in 60 days | ||||
| Total processed | 563,650 | 563,352 | 623,692 | 717,122 | 364,174 |
| Not processed within target | 27,795 | 14,857 | 28,179 | 49,374 | 25,074 |
| Percentage within 60 days | 95.1 | 97.4 | 95.5 | 93.1% | 93.1% |
| Percentage processed outside 60 days | 4.9 | 2.6 | 4.5 | 6.9 | 6.9 |
| ¹ Year to date (September) | |||||
| Source: Pensions Service Legacy System |
Subjects
State retirement pensions
Date
26 November 2008
Reference
483 c2035-6W; 226156
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many occupational pension schemes have fully wound up since 1997; how many are in the process of winding up; and what the membership of such schemes was in each year since 1997.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many occupational pension schemes have fully wound up since 1997; how many are in the process of winding up; and what the membership of such schemes was in each year since 1997.
Asked by
Lord Grayling
(Conservative)
Answered by
Baroness Winterton of Doncaster
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Work and Pensions
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
7 October 2008
For answer on
9 October 2008
Answered on
26 November 2008
The following information was provided by the pensions regulator.(a) The number of schemes in the UK that have wound up for a variety of reasons since 2 April 1997 is 76,675(b) The number of schemes that have been winding up since 2 April 1997 is 7,590. The total membership of these schemes is 358,871."Notes:""1. The data supplied by the pensions regulator is current as at 9 October 2008. It has been enhanced and updated with information received via the new scheme returns, which includes new data for small defined contribution schemes.""2. A wound up scheme is one which has notified the pensions regulator that it has completed winding up procedures. In some cases schemes notify the pensions regulator that they have completed winding up procedures without having previously notified the regulator that they have commenced winding up procedures.""3. A winding up scheme is one which has notified the pensions regulator that it has commenced winding up procedures.""4. Total membership includes active, deferred and pensioner members. It is not possible to provide a breakdown of these numbers."
Subjects
Workplace pensions
Date
26 November 2008
Reference
483 c2008W; 226171
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much was spent by his Department on providing translation services for customers in each of the last five years.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much was spent by his Department on providing translation services for customers in each of the last five years.
Asked by
Lord Grayling
(Conservative)
Answered by
Baroness Winterton of Doncaster
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Work and Pensions
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
7 October 2008
For answer on
9 October 2008
Answered on
26 November 2008
The DWP provides a range of language translation services for customers across the UK, namely:"Face to Face""Telephone""Welsh""Braille""Audio."We are also able to offer a service to convert documents into Easy Read format.The contractual arrangements for the services have been developed over a number of years and as a result spend has not been applicable for some of these services in each of the last five years or data has not been able to be gathered for spend during some years. Disproportionate cost would be incurred in trying to identify such spend.The range of services also includes the translation of departmental information leaflets that are provided to customers into a range of ethnic languages, as well as all publications for Welsh speaking customers.The following table contains the spend across the DWP for all translation services as recorded on a number of departmental systems and as reported in previous PQ's or FOI requests.
| Type of translation service | 2003-04 | 2004-05 | 2005-06 | 2006-07 | 2007-08 | 2008-09¹ |
| Face to Face and Telephone | 2,643,448 | 2,967,756 | 3,443,334 | 4,496,008 | 3,515,722 | 1,452,800 |
| Ethnic | ²— | ²— | 120,720 | 267,500 | 134,945 | 159,166 |
| Welsh | 24,973 | 30,855 | 20,766 | 50,759 | 65,789 | 40,787 |
| Braille | ²— | ²— | ²— | ²— | 45,309 | 44,879 |
| Audio | ²— | ²— | ²— | ²— | 35,572 | 14,977 |
| Easy Read | ²— | ²— | ²— | ²— | ²— | ²— |
| Totals | 2,668,421 | 2,998,611 | 3,584,820 | 4,814,267 | 3,797,337 | 1,712,609 |
| ¹ Year to date August 2008. | ||||||
| ² Not available without disproportionate cost as data not held centrally. |
Subjects
Department for Work and Pensions; Translation services
Date
26 November 2008
Reference
483 c1968W; 226157
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the distribution by household income (a) quintile and (b) decile of his Department's expenditure arising from pension credit in each year for which figures are available.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the distribution by household income (a) quintile and (b) decile of his Department's expenditure arising from pension credit in each year for which figures are available.
Asked by
Lord Grayling
(Conservative)
Answered by
Baroness Winterton of Doncaster
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Work and Pensions
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
31 March 2008
For answer on
2 April 2008
Answered on
25 November 2008
Pension credit helps millions of older people. It ensures no pensioner aged 60 or over should have to live on less than £124.05 per week for a single person and £189.35 for a couple in 2008-09. Pension credit also rewards those aged 65 or over who have made modest provision for their retirement, up to £19.71 for a single person and £26.13 for a couple. Since pension credit was introduced in 2003 the number of pensioners in relative poverty has fallen by around 500,000 (after housing costs).Pension credit expenditure was £5,971 m in 2004-05, £6,426 million in 2005-06 and £6,689 million in 2006-07. Information on the expenditure on pension credit by equivalised household income quintiles and deciles on an after housing cost basis is set out in the following table for available years. Estimates of pension credit expenditure by equivalised income quintile and deciles below are based on a three year average to help take account of small sample sizes in certain quintiles and deciles and statistical variation in expenditure by quintile across the years.These figures are rounded to the nearest £50 million:
Pension credit recipients within the top two quintiles would generally be expected to either have severe disabilities or be living within a wider household, such as that of a family member, in these circumstances the pensioner's income is assessed independently of the household to establish entitlement to pension credit.The relatively low level of expenditure in the bottom decile is partly explained by pensioners in these deciles not taking up their benefit entitlement. We continue to strive to ensure people are aware of and claim their entitlement. The Pensions Disability and Carers Service use data matching to identify those likely to be entitled to pension credit and encourage them to make a claim.The claim process is being made much simpler and more automatic and from October 2008 we are proposing to introduce a measure which will enable pensioners to claim housing benefit and council tax benefit with pension credit entirely over the phone without having to fill in and sign a claim form.Each week the Pensions Disability and Carers Service is carrying out around 13,000 visits to help the more vulnerable pensioners with benefits. Since the introduction of pension credit the number of pensioners in relative poverty (measured by 60 per cent. of contemporary median income after housing costs) has fallen by around 500,000."Notes:""1. Pension credit was introduced in October 2003. This means data is only available for 2004-05, 2005-06 and 2006-07.""2. All figures are shown in nominal terms (ie not adjusted for inflation). Family Resources Survey (FRS) data have been applied to administrative data to derive a split by decile/quintile. Estimates of Pension Credit expenditure by equivalised income decile are based on a three year average to help take account of small sample sizes in certain deciles/quintiles and statistical variation in expenditure by decile/quintile across the years.""3. Administrative data totals are available to the nearest £ million, while information based on survey data is presented rounded to the nearest £50 million.""4. FRS data is based on private households only, while the pension credit expenditure data covers all recipients.""5. Decile amounts may not sum to quintile amounts, because of rounding.""6. The Family Resources Survey is known to undercount receipt of certain benefits. This methodology assumes that this undercount is spread proportionally across deciles.""7. The income measures used to derive the estimates shown employ the same methodology as the Department for Work and Pensions publication 'Households Below Average Income' series.""8. The quintiles and deciles are derived using OECD equivalisation factors."
| Table 1: Expenditure on pension credit by equivalised income quintile based on pensioners only, Great Britain, 2004-05 to 2006-07 | |
|---|---|
| 2004-05 to 2006-07 | £ million, after housing costs |
| Bottom quintile | 1,800 |
| Second quintile | 1,500 |
| Third quintile | 1,150 |
| Fourth quintile | 1,500 |
| Top quintile | 450 |
| Total | 6,422 |
| Table 2: Expenditure on pension credit by equivalised income decile based on pensioners only, Great Britain, 2004-05 to 2006-07 | |
|---|---|
| 2004-05 to 2006-07 | £ million, after housing costs |
| Bottom decile | 600 |
| Second decile | 1,200 |
| Third decile | 900 |
| Fourth decile | 600 |
| Fifth decile | 600 |
| Sixth decile | 550 |
| Seventh decile | 800 |
| Eighth decile | 700 |
| Ninth decile | 350 |
| Top decile | 100 |
| Total | 6,422 |
Subjects
Expenditure; Pension credit
Date
25 November 2008
Reference
483 c1385-7W; 198781
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much the Pensions Service spent in making contributions to final salary pensions schemes in each of the last 10 years.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much the Pensions Service spent in making contributions to final salary pensions schemes in each of the last 10 years.
Asked by
Lord Grayling
(Conservative)
Answered by
Baroness Winterton of Doncaster
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Work and Pensions
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
7 October 2008
For answer on
9 October 2008
Answered on
25 November 2008
Information was requested for the last 10 years, but data is only available from 2002-03, the year that The Pension Service was formed.The Information is in the following table.
| Employer contribution for pension costs | |
| £ million | |
| 2002-03 | 25.343 |
| 2003-04 | 37.367 |
| 2004-05 | 36.331 |
| 2005-06 | 46.135 |
| 2006-07 | 46.519 |
| 2007-08 | 42.195 |
| Notes: | |
| 1. The percentage to be applied to pensionable pay varies depending on the salary bands within The Pension Service. The salary bands were revised in 2007-08. | |
| 2. The above employer contributions exclude the pension costs arising from the termination of staff contracts associated with reductions in staffing levels and increases in operational efficiency. These costs were £12.459 million (2005-06), £2.984million (2006-07) and £36.121 million (2007-08). | |
| 3. Since 30 July 2007 new entrants have been joining the nuvos section of the PCSPS. This is not a final salary scheme. In pensions terminology this would normally be referred to as a Career Average or CARE scheme. Benefits are linked to salary throughout someone's career rather than their final earnings. | |
| 4. The increase in employer contributions between 2002-03 and 2003-04 reflects the increase in staffing needed to handle pension credit take-up. |
Subjects
Pensions; Pension, Disability and Carers Service
Date
25 November 2008
Reference
483 c1387-8W; 226175
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average income of pensioners in each household income (a) quintile and (b) decile was in (i) 2004-05 and (ii) 2005-06.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average income of pensioners in each household income (a) quintile and (b) decile was in (i) 2004-05 and (ii) 2005-06.
Asked by
Lord Grayling
(Conservative)
Answered by
Baroness Winterton of Doncaster
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Work and Pensions
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
31 March 2008
For answer on
2 April 2008
Answered on
25 November 2008
Specific information regarding low income for the United Kingdom is available in "Households Below Average Income 1994-95 to 2006-07". This annual report, which is a National Statistics publication, includes the numbers and proportions of pensioners with incomes below 50 per cent, 60 per cent and 70 per cent of median income and by quintile of the income distribution.Information on the median equivalised income of pensioners in each household income quintile and decile over the period 2004-05 to 2006-07 is shown in the tables below. Median equivalised incomes are given rather than mean equivalised incomes as these are less influenced by extreme values. The Households Below Average Income publication also uses median rather than mean equivalised incomes. Distributions by equivalised income decile are based on a three year average to help take account of small sample sizes in certain deciles and statistical variation across the years.These figures are based on sampling and estimates. Movements in data over short periods may be due to sampling error but over a longer period trends are useful. Incomes in 1996-99 are therefore included for reference. Particular caution is required when looking at the incomes of the lowest deciles as those households stating the lowest incomes to the Family Resources Survey may not actually have the lowest living standards. Many people who report very low incomes appear to have high spending.Median equivalised income of pensioners in the bottom quintile increased by 36 per cent. between 1996-99 and 2004-07. Measures introduced by the Government since 1997 to help those on the lowest incomes include the introduction of the Minimum Income Guarantee and its successor Pension Credit and Winter Fuel Payments for those aged 60 and over. For 2009, we will raise the standard minimum guarantee to £130.00—an above indexation increase of £5.95. We will be making an additional payment for winter 2008-09 of £50 for households with someone aged 60-79 and £100 for those with someone aged 80 or over. And in addition to this the Government will make a payment in the new year of £60 for each pensioner, equivalent to bringing forward uprating of the basic State Pension from April to January.
| Table 1: Median weekly pensioner incomes by equivalised income quintile across pensioners only, United Kingdom, 1996-99 and 2004-07 (2006-07 prices, after housing costs) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | ||||||
| Bottom quintile | Second quintile | Middle quintile | Fourth quintile | Top quintile | Median income | |
| 1996-99 | 122 | 155 | 212 | 292 | 466 | 212 |
| 2004-07 | 164 | 223 | 289 | 379 | 583 | 289 |
| Table 2: Median weekly pensioner incomes by equivalised income decile across pensioners only, United Kingdom, 1996-99 and 2004-07 (2006-07 prices, after housing costs) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| £ | |||||
| Bottom decile | Second decile | Third decile | Fourth decile | Fifth decile | |
| 1996-99 | 103 | 131 | 146 | 168 | 197 |
| 2004-07 | 130 | 183 | 209 | 237 | 270 |
| Sixth decile | Seventh decile | Eight decile | Ninth decile | Top decile | Median income | |
| 1996-99 | 230 | 270 | 319 | 396 | 606 | 212 |
| 2004-07 | 308 | 354 | 411 | 503 | 747 | 289 |
| Notes: | ||||||
| 1. The information shown is for the United Kingdom for 2004-07, and Great Britain for 1996-99. | ||||||
| 2. The income measures used to derive the estimates shown employ the same methodology as the Department for Work and Pensions publication 'Households Below Average Income' (HBAI) series, which uses disposable household income, adjusted (or "equivalised") for household size and composition, as an income measure as a proxy for standard of living. | ||||||
| 3. The income distribution is based on pensioners only. | ||||||
| 4. Based on survey data and as such subject to a degree of sampling and non sampling error. | ||||||
| 5. This response includes incomes for the lowest deciles of the population. These figures are not national statistics and caution must be applied because those people stating the lowest incomes in the FRS may not actually have the lowest living standards. | ||||||
| 6 The quintiles and deciles are derived using OECD equivalisation factors. | ||||||
| 7. Weekly income amounts have been rounded to the nearest whole pound and are given in 2006-07 prices. |
Subjects
Income; Pensioners
Date
25 November 2008
Reference
483 c1389-90W; 198782
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will place in the Library, a copy of organisational charts relating to the structure of the Pensions Disability and Carers Service below Board level.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will place in the Library, a copy of organisational charts relating to the structure of the Pensions Disability and Carers Service below Board level.
Asked by
Lord Grayling
(Conservative)
Answered by
Baroness Winterton of Doncaster
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Work and Pensions
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
14 July 2008
For answer on
16 July 2008
Answered on
10 November 2008
The following answer was provided to the hon. Member on 17 September 2008, however, due to a procedural error was not published in the Official Report.The answer is as follows:"The Pension, Disability and Carers Service (PDCS) was set up on 1 April 2008. To date we have appointed a chief executive, Terry Moran, and all of the executive and non-executive board directors. Details were published in the 2008-09 Business Plan for the Agency which is available in the House Library.""The structure below board level currently remains as it was for the two former agencies, the Pension Service and the Disability and Carers Service. Work is currently under way to agree the new structure for the new Agency and we expect that to be finalised in the autumn."
Subjects
Pension, Disability and Carers Service
Date
10 November 2008
Reference
482 c919-20W; 219498
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate his Department has made of the number of pensioners who were assessed as having savings insufficient for their retirement in each year since 1997.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate his Department has made of the number of pensioners who were assessed as having savings insufficient for their retirement in each year since 1997.
Asked by
Lord Grayling
(Conservative)
Answered by
Baroness Winterton of Doncaster
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Work and Pensions
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
7 October 2008
For answer on
9 October 2008
Answered on
10 November 2008
It is the responsibility of individuals to determine the level of income in retirement they want. This will take account of their circumstances, their ability to save and their expectations for their retirement.For most people, income in retirement will come from a combination of the basic State Pension and a second pension or savings. Where that is not the case, the Government provides a minimum guaranteed income through the guarantee credit element of pension credit (previously the minimum income guarantee and income support for pensioners).The pension reforms being introduced in the Pensions Act 2007 and the current Pension Reform Bill will provide better access and coverage of the state provision, providing a solid foundation for private saving.
Subjects
Pensioners; Personal savings
Date
10 November 2008
Reference
482 c919W; 226173
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of pensioners who would be lifted out of poverty if there was 100 per cent. take up of entitlement to (a) council tax benefit, (b) pension credit and (c) housing benefit.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the number of pensioners who would be lifted out of poverty if there was 100 per cent. take up of entitlement to (a) council tax benefit, (b) pension credit and (c) housing benefit.
Asked by
Lord Grayling
(Conservative)
Answered by
Baroness Winterton of Doncaster
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Work and Pensions
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
18 July 2008
For answer on
22 July 2008
Answered on
27 October 2008
I refer the hon. Member to the written answer the hon. and learned Member for North Warwickshire (Mr. O'Brien) gave the hon. Member for Cardiff, Central (Jenny Willott) on 22 July 2008, Official Report, column 1188W.
Subjects
Pensioners; Poverty
Date
27 October 2008
Reference
221690; 481 c700W
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much his Department has spent on (a) pension credit, (b) the second state pension, (c) the basic state pension, (d) widow's benefit, (e) free television licenses, (f) Christmas bonuses, (g) attendance allowance paid to pensioners and (h) carers allowance...
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much his Department has spent on (a) pension credit, (b) the second state pension, (c) the basic state pension, (d) widow's benefit, (e) free television licenses, (f) Christmas bonuses, (g) attendance allowance paid to pensioners and (h) carers allowance...
Asked by
Lord Grayling
(Conservative)
Answered by
Baroness Winterton of Doncaster
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Work and Pensions
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
7 October 2008
For answer on
9 October 2008
Answered on
22 October 2008
The information is in the table.
| Expenditure on selected DWP benefits paid to pensioners | ||||||||
| Great Britain, 2008-09 prices | (a) Pension Credit and predecessors | (b) SERPS and S2P | (c) Basic State Pension | (d) Widow's and Bereavement Benefits | (e) Over 75 TV Licence | (f) Christmas Bonus | (g) Attendance Allowance | (h) Carer's Allowance |
| 1997-98 | 4,992 | 4,189 | 40,255 | 185 | 184 | 3,336 | — | — |
| 1998-99 | 4,671 | 4,724 | 41,226 | 174 | 181 | 3,459 | — | — |
| 1999-00 | 4,783 | 5,563 | 42,261 | 163 | 170 | 3,571 | — | — |
| 2000-01 | 5,108 | 5,901 | 42,427 | 150 | 381 | 169 | 3,686 | — |
| 2001-02 | 5,465 | 6,490 | 44,578 | 145 | 445 | 166 | 3,806 | — |
| 2002-03 | 5,297 | 6,932 | 45,474 | 179 | 442 | 162 | 3,840 | — |
| 2003-04 | 5,569 | 7,632 | 45,755 | 162 | 473 | 162 | 3,968 | 42 |
| 2004-05 | 6,670 | 8,225 | 46,291 | 154 | 486 | 159 | 4,104 | 43 |
| 2005-06 | 7,030 | 8,928 | 47,327 | 138 | 504 | 156 | 4,293 | 39 |
| 2006-07 | 7,305 | 9,564 | 47,506 | 120 | 519 | 154 | 4,413 | 42 |
| 2007-08 | 7,582 | 10,482 | 48,826 | 106 | 525 | 152 | 4,572 | 48 |
| Notes: | ||||||||
| 1. Pension credit replaced income support for people over 60/minimum income guarantee in 2003-04. Figures include spending on men aged 60 to 64. | ||||||||
| 2. The main reason for the decline in the payment of widow's and bereavement benefits from 2002-03 is due to changes in the criteria for receipt of the benefits. Widow's benefit is now closed to new claimants, who now receive a bereavement benefit instead. In addition, persons in receipt of Widow's and bereavement benefits now receive state pension on reaching state pension age. Previously, persons in receipt of widow's benefit continued to receive this benefit on reaching state pension age and did not receive a state pension. Also, a declining mortality rate means a slight reduction in the numbers claiming these benefits. | ||||||||
| 3. Over 75 TV licences expenditure is on a UK basis, and was introduced in 2000-01. | ||||||||
| 4. Christmas bonus comprises of contributory and non-contributory payments and includes all payments made including a small amount to people not of pension age. | ||||||||
| 5. Carer's allowance replaced invalid care allowance in 2002-03. Consistent estimates of payment of the benefit to pensioners are only available from 2003-04. | ||||||||
| Source: | ||||||||
| DWP Benefits expenditure tables and accounting data for 2007-08. |
Subjects
Pensioners; Social security benefits
Date
22 October 2008
Reference
481 c404-6W; 226178
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the proportion of the working age population that belonged to an employer-sponsored defined benefit pension scheme in each year since 1997.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the proportion of the working age population that belonged to an employer-sponsored defined benefit pension scheme in each year since 1997.
Asked by
Lord Grayling
(Conservative)
Answered by
Baroness Winterton of Doncaster
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Work and Pensions
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
7 October 2008
For answer on
9 October 2008
Answered on
22 October 2008
The information requested is as follows:
| Estimates of the percentage of the working-age population who belong to an employer-sponsored defined benefit pension, by year. | |
|---|---|
| Percentage | |
| 1991 | 28 |
| 1995 | 26 |
| 2000 | 25 |
| 2004 | 23 |
| 2006 | 21 |
| 2007 | 21 |
| Notes: | |
| 1. Pension scheme membership figures were taken from the Occupational Pension Scheme Survey. Data for years 1991, 1995, 2000 and 2004 were produced by the Government Actuary's Department (GAD). Data for 2007 and revised data for 2006 were published by ONS in September 2008. The coverage of the survey is the UK. | |
| 2. Population figures were taken from Table 1 of the mid-year population estimates produced by the Office for National Statistics. 2007 is the latest year published. | |
| 3. The working age population is defined as males aged 16 to 64 and females aged 16 to 59. | |
| 4. To be eligible for membership of an occupational pension scheme, including defined benefit schemes, a person must be an employee working for an employer offering such a scheme.2007 |
Subjects
Workplace pensions
Date
22 October 2008
Reference
481 c403W; 226170
House
House of Commons
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the proportion of private sector employers who offered a pension to their employees in each year since 1997 for which figures are available.
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate he has made of the proportion of private sector employers who offered a pension to their employees in each year since 1997 for which figures are available.
Asked by
Lord Grayling
(Conservative)
Answered by
Baroness Winterton of Doncaster
(Labour)
Answering body
Department for Work and Pensions
Type
Written questions
Status
Answered
Tabled on
7 October 2008
For answer on
9 October 2008
Answered on
22 October 2008
The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is presented as follows:
| Percentage of firms with any pension provision | |
| 1998 | 34 |
| 2000 | 29 |
| 2003 | 52 |
| 2005 | 44 |
| Notes: | |
| 1. All figures are estimates taken from the Employers' Pension Provision Survey. 2005 is the latest year published. The coverage of the survey is private sector employers in Great Britain. | |
| 2. Stakeholder pensions were introduced in April 2001, and from October 2001 employers with five or more employees and no other pension provision were required to provide access to Stakeholder pensions. This is reflected in the increase in employer pension provision between 2000 and 2003. | |
| 3. Pension provision includes occupational schemes, Group Personal Pensions, Stakeholder Pensions (including schemes with no members and/or no contributions) and firms that contribute to Personal Pensions. | |
| Source: | |
| DWP Employers' Pension Provision Survey |
Subjects
Workplace pensions
Date
22 October 2008
Reference
481 c403-4W; 226172
House
House of Commons