Written question asked by David Marshall (Labour) on Friday, 28 February 2003, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 10 March 2003. It was answered by Ian McCartney (Labour) on Monday, 10 March 2003 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.

Dept for Work and Pensions

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will uprate the pensions paid to UK pensioners living in all Commonwealth countries; and if he will make a statement.

Answer: Mr. David Marshall: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will uprate the pensions paid to UK pensioners living in all Commonwealth countries; and if he will make a statement. [100877] Mr. McCartney: State pension is uprated in some Commonwealth countries and certain other countries abroad where there is a legal requirement or a reciprocal social security agreement to do so. The Commonwealth countries with which the UK has reciprocal agreements allowing state pension upratings to be paid are, Barbados, Cyprus, Jamaica, Malta and Mauritius. Pensions are not uprated in any other Commonwealth country. The uprating of state pensions abroad is the subject of a Court of Appeal hearing set for 24 and 25 March 2003. This is an appeal against the High Court's finding that the Government is not in breach of the European Convention on Human Rights by not annually uprating the state pension in countries where there is no agreement to do so.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 100877; 401 c85-6W
Session: 2002-03
Subjects: British nationality Commonwealth Pensions Overseas residence State retirement pensions Uprating
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk