To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the additional revenue the Treasury has received as a result of its decision not to index personal tax allowances for each year since the decision was taken; and what estimate they have made of the additional revenue that will...

To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the additional revenue the Treasury has received as a result of its decision not to index personal tax allowances for each year since the decision was taken; and what estimate they have made of the additional revenue that will...

My Lords, I want first to say a huge thank you. I was told before I came to this place that the welcome would be warm, and it most certainly has been, both from before taking the oath and in the lead-up to today’s debate. People said, “What’s on the...

My Lords, I want first to say a huge thank you. I was told before I came to this place that the welcome would be warm, and it most certainly has been, both from before taking the oath and in the lead-up to today’s debate. People said, “What’s on the...

I am immensely pleased to be able to contribute to this debate, and I shall do so briefly.

The Bill marks a decisive change in the policies of Governments since the 1950s. It is a change I hoped the previous Labour Government would make, but they did

not. This Government have made...

I am immensely pleased to be able to contribute to this debate, and I shall do so briefly.

The Bill marks a decisive change in the policies of Governments since the 1950s. It is a change I hoped the previous Labour Government would make, but they did

not. This Government have made...

I rise to support the amendment because it is very clear: it seeks to tear the heart out of this Bill, and it should tear the heart out of the Bill, because it is a terrible Bill. By taking this stance, I am not saying that we should not, with...

I rise to support the amendment because it is very clear: it seeks to tear the heart out of this Bill, and it should tear the heart out of the Bill, because it is a terrible Bill. By taking this stance, I am not saying that we should not, with...

No, I am going to make a short speech. I am grateful for the hon. Gentleman’s interest and the way he is following my speech, but I do not want to extend it.

The country will make a judgment about how fair the collection of measures is. I think the Government...

No, I am going to make a short speech. I am grateful for the hon. Gentleman’s interest and the way he is following my speech, but I do not want to extend it.

The country will make a judgment about how fair the collection of measures is. I think the Government...

Is it not true that the Minister's partial statement today will in the next couple of years result in decreasing the incentive to work? If the Treasury believed in localism and had given the £6.6 billion to the Department to spend on uprating as it wished to, would not the...

Is it not true that the Minister's partial statement today will in the next couple of years result in decreasing the incentive to work? If the Treasury believed in localism and had given the £6.6 billion to the Department to spend on uprating as it wished to, would not the...

Given that the Secretary of State has told the House, and there is no reason to doubt him, that his proposals are based on fairness, it is reasonable to assume that before the Bill completes its passage we will see some changes to the way in which it treats women....

Given that the Secretary of State has told the House, and there is no reason to doubt him, that his proposals are based on fairness, it is reasonable to assume that before the Bill completes its passage we will see some changes to the way in which it treats women....

The Secretary of State keeps insisting that he wishes to be fair, but the country increasingly thinks that he is being unfair to a particular group of women. The Opposition are not saying that his Department should not deliver the savings set out, but we are suggesting that they could...

The Secretary of State keeps insisting that he wishes to be fair, but the country increasingly thinks that he is being unfair to a particular group of women. The Opposition are not saying that his Department should not deliver the savings set out, but we are suggesting that they could...

Will the Secretary of State give way on this very point?

Will the Secretary of State give way on this very point?

My hon. Friend the Member for West Bromwich, West (Mr. Bailey) should let the hon. Gentleman finish, as many others want to get in.

My hon. Friend the Member for West Bromwich, West (Mr. Bailey) should let the hon. Gentleman finish, as many others want to get in.

I shall speak for only two minutes, as I know that other hon. Members with constituency interests also want to contribute to the debate. However, I shall begin by congratulating my hon. Friend the Minister on his statement today and on the extension of the FAS scheme. The House has...

I shall speak for only two minutes, as I know that other hon. Members with constituency interests also want to contribute to the debate. However, I shall begin by congratulating my hon. Friend the Minister on his statement today and on the extension of the FAS scheme. The House has...

The Minister has talked about an additional £2 billion going into the fund. Where is that money? I cannot find it anywhere in the Department’s accounts. Has anyone received it? Is it a fund with pension trustees who are accountable for its expenditure or is it something that maybe, at...

The Minister has talked about an additional £2 billion going into the fund. Where is that money? I cannot find it anywhere in the Department’s accounts. Has anyone received it? Is it a fund with pension trustees who are accountable for its expenditure or is it something that maybe, at...

May I take the Minister back to what the ABI said? If it was saying that Members on either side of the House wanted to transfer the unclaimed assets of pensioners, they could not have misunderstood the position more severely. We have been saying that we should use the unclaimed...

May I take the Minister back to what the ABI said? If it was saying that Members on either side of the House wanted to transfer the unclaimed assets of pensioners, they could not have misunderstood the position more severely. We have been saying that we should use the unclaimed...

Would the Opposition spokesman like to remind the House that as part of the recovery plan for the pensioners who had their pensions stolen by Maxwell, the Government offered a loan to the funds? That loan is still being repaid, and some of us are under pressure from pensioners who...

Would the Opposition spokesman like to remind the House that as part of the recovery plan for the pensioners who had their pensions stolen by Maxwell, the Government offered a loan to the funds? That loan is still being repaid, and some of us are under pressure from pensioners who...

Does the Minister accept the Opposition’s line that large numbers of pensioners are eligible for but not claiming the additional help with pension credit? Does he share the experience that I have? I find almost no one in Birkenhead who for any length of time is eligible and not claiming...

Does the Minister accept the Opposition’s line that large numbers of pensioners are eligible for but not claiming the additional help with pension credit? Does he share the experience that I have? I find almost no one in Birkenhead who for any length of time is eligible and not claiming...

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will estimate the cost of raising the basic state pension to (a) 20 per cent. and (b) 25 per cent. of average earning on a (i) gross and (ii) net basis after tax and means-tested benefits. - Inc...

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if he will estimate the cost of raising the basic state pension to (a) 20 per cent. and (b) 25 per cent. of average earning on a (i) gross and (ii) net basis after tax and means-tested benefits. - Inc...

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people will be entitled to the Pension Credit; and what the cost will be in (a) 2005, (b) 2010, (c) 2015 and (d) 2020 if the minimum income guarentee element of the Pension Credit is uprated in line...

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many people will be entitled to the Pension Credit; and what the cost will be in (a) 2005, (b) 2010, (c) 2015 and (d) 2020 if the minimum income guarentee element of the Pension Credit is uprated in line...

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his Answer to the honourable Member for Havant, of 30th January, 362 c138W, if he will recalculate the table on the basis that both (a) the basic state pension and (b) the minimum income guarantee were uprated with prices....

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his Answer to the honourable Member for Havant, of 30th January, 362 c138W, if he will recalculate the table on the basis that both (a) the basic state pension and (b) the minimum income guarantee were uprated with prices....

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, if he will estimate the additional cost in each of the next five years, net of means tested benefits and taxation, of an increase in the single person's basic state retirement pension in April 2001 by (a) £5 for 75 to...

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, if he will estimate the additional cost in each of the next five years, net of means tested benefits and taxation, of an increase in the single person's basic state retirement pension in April 2001 by (a) £5 for 75 to...

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer to the honourable Member for Newport West of 2nd November, Official Report, 355 c575W, for how many years the National Insurance Fund will remain in surplus over and above the recommended surplus if contribution rates remain unchanged and contribution...

To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer to the honourable Member for Newport West of 2nd November, Official Report, 355 c575W, for how many years the National Insurance Fund will remain in surplus over and above the recommended surplus if contribution rates remain unchanged and contribution...