Written question asked by Graham Riddick (Conservative), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 10 December 1996. It was answered by Lord Lilley (Conservative) on Tuesday, 10 December 1996 on behalf of the Department of Social Security.

Dept of Social Security

Question: What representations he has received in favour of allowing people to claim a state pension from 60 years of age. (Failed OPQ)

Answer: Mr. Riddick: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations he has received in favour of allowing people to claim a state pension from 60 years of age; and if he will make a statement. [6856] Mr. Harry Greenway: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the additional cost of paying a full state pension from 60 years. [6859] Mr. Evennett: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has for the state retirement pension; and if he will make a statement. [6860] Mr. Booth: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the current old-age pension provision. [6870] Mr. Stephen: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the additional cost to public funds of linking pensions to earnings since 1980. [6872] Mr. Richards: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations he has received in respect of uprating pensions in line with prices rather than earnings. [6873] Mr. Lilley: I have recently received only one representation in favour of allowing people to claim the state pension from age 60--from the hon. Member for Peckham (Ms Harman). To reduce the minimum age for claiming State pension to age 60 without increasing the burden on the taxpayer would mean that a single person would have a cut in their basic pension of £20 a week for the rest of their life.

Secondary information