Letter dated 11/03/2021 from Baroness Stedman-Scott to Peers regarding issues raised in the debate on the Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order 2021 and the Guaranteed Minimum Pensions Increase Order 2021: state pension and the triple lock, international comparisons, underpayments, savings in pension credit, TV Licence concessions, bereavement support payment, guaranteed minimum pension equalisation, Lloyds court case, and the benefit cap. 5p.

Letter dated 11/03/2021 from Baroness Stedman-Scott to Peers regarding issues raised in the debate on the Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order 2021 and the Guaranteed Minimum Pensions Increase Order 2021: state pension and the triple lock, international comparisons, underpayments, savings in pension credit, TV Licence concessions, bereavement support payment, guaranteed...

I will in a moment. This unfolding chaos has been impressive even for a Government who have presided over U-turns on forests, sentencing reform and the reorganisation of the NHS, because we thought we knew where we were. The coalition Government made a wise move in appointing the Pensions Minister...

I will in a moment. This unfolding chaos has been impressive even for a Government who have presided over U-turns on forests, sentencing reform and the reorganisation of the NHS, because we thought we knew where we were. The coalition Government made a wise move in appointing the Pensions Minister...

As I said to the right hon. Member for Birkenhead (Mr Field) and repeat to the right hon. Member for Croydon North, I am always willing to look and to think carefully about what proposals there are—not for the purposes of this Bill, obviously, but in the future. I know...

As I said to the right hon. Member for Birkenhead (Mr Field) and repeat to the right hon. Member for Croydon North, I am always willing to look and to think carefully about what proposals there are—not for the purposes of this Bill, obviously, but in the future. I know...

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....

It will disappoint the hon. Lady, but I have no plans to do that.

It will disappoint the hon. Lady, but I have no plans to do that.

We agree, then, that the hon. Lady's proposals would cost us £10 billion. We are on Second Reading, and if she wants to raise the same point or table amendments in Committee, she can do so by all means. The Bill as it stands is exactly as we set out,...

We agree, then, that the hon. Lady's proposals would cost us £10 billion. We are on Second Reading, and if she wants to raise the same point or table amendments in Committee, she can do so by all means. The Bill as it stands is exactly as we set out,...

The Secretary of State rightly acknowledges that we have put forward proposals that would save £20 billion. [Interruption.] Has he looked at whether the increase to 67 could be brought forward, which would take us up to a saving of £30 billion? Can we find a compromise on those proposals,...

The Secretary of State rightly acknowledges that we have put forward proposals that would save £20 billion. [Interruption.] Has he looked at whether the increase to 67 could be brought forward, which would take us up to a saving of £30 billion? Can we find a compromise on those proposals,...

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...

I repeat that the Bill that we have presented on Second Reading will retain the dates that we announced, but as I said earlier, I will quite happily discuss transitional announcements with anyone who wants to do so. I do not rule out discussions, but we plan to press ahead...

I repeat that the Bill that we have presented on Second Reading will retain the dates that we announced, but as I said earlier, I will quite happily discuss transitional announcements with anyone who wants to do so. I do not rule out discussions, but we plan to press ahead...

I welcome the Secretary of State's comments about his willingness to consider transitional arrangements. My constituents, the class that left Foxhills comprehensive school in 1970, who were all born in 1953-54, have written to me to ask why the pensions goalposts should be moved twice so close to their retirement....

I welcome the Secretary of State's comments about his willingness to consider transitional arrangements. My constituents, the class that left Foxhills comprehensive school in 1970, who were all born in 1953-54, have written to me to ask why the pensions goalposts should be moved twice so close to their retirement....

I think I have already covered that ground. I recognise the right hon. Gentleman's concern, but I will not repeat what I have already said, because I do not think the House would appreciate that.

I think I have already covered that ground. I recognise the right hon. Gentleman's concern, but I will not repeat what I have already said, because I do not think the House would appreciate that.

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

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

I am going to make a little progress. We have more time, and I will give way to other Members later.

I am going to make a little progress. We have more time, and I will give way to other Members later.

My right hon. Friend is being fair and sensible in his approach, and we admire his determination in introducing the Bill. I accept the cost of widening the transition period for the 2.5 million women involved, but will he give particular consideration to the small group of 33,000 women born...

My right hon. Friend is being fair and sensible in his approach, and we admire his determination in introducing the Bill. I accept the cost of widening the transition period for the 2.5 million women involved, but will he give particular consideration to the small group of 33,000 women born...

I wish to make a few points, then I will give way to the right hon. Gentleman again. I think I have been reasonably generous, and I plan to continue to be. As I said earlier, if we delayed the change as the hon. Member for Leeds West (Rachel Reeves)...

I wish to make a few points, then I will give way to the right hon. Gentleman again. I think I have been reasonably generous, and I plan to continue to be. As I said earlier, if we delayed the change as the hon. Member for Leeds West (Rachel Reeves)...

With respect, I have just said that there are certain elements that would not be legal. That is all that I am saying. The hon. Lady can go on about this point as much as she likes, but I have answered her. She might not like my answer, but that...

With respect, I have just said that there are certain elements that would not be legal. That is all that I am saying. The hon. Lady can go on about this point as much as she likes, but I have answered her. She might not like my answer, but that...