Written question asked by Hugh Bayley (Labour) on Monday, 4 April 2005, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 7 April 2005. It was answered by Baroness Smith of Malvern (Labour) on Thursday, 7 April 2005 on behalf of the Department of Trade and Industry.

Dept of Trade and Industry;Minister for Women

Question: To ask the Minister for Women, what the Government's policy is on reducing the gap between the average income of single men and single women aged over 65. (Failed OPQ)

Answer: Hugh Bayley: To ask the Minister for Women what the Government's policy is on reducing the gap between the average income of single men and single women aged over 65. [224759] Jacqui Smith: We have introduced a number of measures to support today's female pensioners in retirement such as pension credit and winter fuel allowances. As a result, 1.9 million pensioners have been lifted out of abject poverty since 1997, two-thirds of them women. We will produce a report on the pension position of women later this year, which will address all the issues currently faced by women in building up their retirement income.

Secondary information