Written question asked by John Denham (Labour) on Wednesday, 24 March 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 31 March 2004. It was answered by Malcolm Wicks (Labour) on Wednesday, 31 March 2004 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 make it his policy to use the surplus in the National Insurance Fund to increase state pensions.

Answer: Mr. Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make it his policy to use the surplus in the National Insurance Fund to increase state pensions. [164117] Malcolm Wicks: We are committed to ensuring that the basic state pension remains the foundation for income in retirement, paid for from the National Insurance Fund with a guarantee to increase it by at least 2.5 per cent. a year. We will continue to manage the fund prudently to achieve that objective.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 419 c1493W;419 c1495W; 164117
Session: 2003-04
Subjects: National Insurance Fund Pensions State retirement pensions Surpluses
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk