Written questions by Stephenson.

Whether he has made an (a) estimate of the age of inheritance for the next five decades and (b) assessment of the potential impact of increased longevity on the adequacy of assets held at state pension age for comfortable retirement.

The Department for Work and Pensions has published analysis on the number and proportion of working age individuals who are undersaving for retirement. This analysis is published here: Analysis of Future Pension Incomes 2025 - GOV.UK This analysis looks at Target Replacement Rates, the percentage of pre-retirement earnings an individual would need to replace to meet an adequate income in retirement, and also at expenditure-based measures of income adequacy in retirement. This analysis includes estimates of longevity as part of assessing the level of savings needed to achieve the various levels of income. No specific assessment has been made of the age of inheritance. The Government has also revived the Pensions Commission, with a broad and comprehensive remit to consider the long-term future of our pension system, to ensure it delivers financial security in retirement through a framework that is strong, fair and sustainable. This includes exploring the long-term questions of adequacy and how to improve retirement outcomes for future generations of retirees.

With reference to the press release entitled Fresh drive to boost Pension Credit take-up as new figures reveal large regional gaps in those receiving benefit worth around £4,300 a year, published on 30 October 2025, if he will publish constituency level analysis.

Ad-hoc statistics on households potentially eligible for Pension Credit were published by DWP for the financial year 2023 to 2024 and are available at: Households potentially eligible for Pension Credit, 2023 to 2024 - GOV.UK. Table 4a provides a breakdown of eligible households in receipt of Pension Credit, potentially eligible households and Pension Credit receipt rate by parliamentary constituency. These are estimates based on administrative data and are not derived from the official statistics (available here: Income-related benefits: estimates of take-up: financial year ending 2024 - GOV.UK). The official statistics should be used for estimates of Pension Credit take-up at the Great Britian level, with the ad-hoc statistics providing breakdowns at lower levels of geographical areas.

Whether he has made a recent assessment of the effectiveness of CMS enforcement.

If paying parents fail to meet their financial obligation to their children, the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) has a range of strong enforcement powers, including deductions directly from earnings and bank accounts, removing a parent’s passport or driving license and commitment to prison. CMS continually assesses the effectiveness of its enforcement action and in the year to September 2025 collected £214m through administrative and court-based enforcement actions (including deductions from earnings). This is the highest amount collected annually through enforcement activity, and 21% more than that collected during the year to September 2024. We are working to introduce administrative liability orders (ALOs) to replace the current court-based liability order process. This simpler approach will allow CMS to act faster against parents who avoid their responsibilities, getting money to children more quickly. These changes strengthen enforcement powers and reduce delays. We are working with HM Courts and Tribunals Service and the Scottish Government to implement ALOs and will bring regulations to Parliament as soon as possible.

With reference to the Autumn Budget 2025, whether his policy to fully fund SME apprenticeships for under 25s will include level 7 apprenticeships.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer of I gave on 10 December 2025 to Question UIN 95355.

If he will make an assessment of the adequacy of processing times for applications for pension credit.

The latest year to date performance for 2025-2026 shows improvement of claims processed within the current target of 50 working days. Our most recent Pension Credit applications and awards: November 2025 - GOV.UK statistics show outstanding Pension Credit claims have reduced to 12,940 outstanding at the end of week commencing 17 November. This is a decrease of 84% or 68,845 fewer outstanding claims compared to end of week commencing 18 November 2024.

How many visas a) his Department, b) the Pension Protection Fund, and c) the Office for Nuclear Regulation have sponsored since 4 July 2024.

The requested data is not held centrally in a reportable format.

What plans she has to ensure that low paid workers have adequate income in retirement.

This government is committed to enabling tomorrow’s pensioners to have security in retirement. The Pensions Commission has been revived to consider what is required in the long term to deliver a pensions framework that is stronger, fairer and more sustainable. Amongst other things, the Commission will look at how to improve retirement outcomes, especially for those on the lowest incomes and at the greatest risk of poverty or under-saving.

What steps she plans to take to encourage self-employed workers to pay into private pension funds.

The proportion of the self-employed who are saving into a pension has fallen significantly from almost 50% in the late 1990s to less than 20% at present. While self-employed workers are not eligible for Automatic Enrolment, the National Employment Savings Trust (Nest) must accept individuals who are self-employed, meeting certain conditions, who wish to join a pension scheme.The Department is currently working with Nest Insight and partners to test potential solutions. The Pensions Commission will also explore steps to improve pension outcomes, especially for those at the greatest risk of undersaving, such as self-employed workers.

With reference to page 29 of the document by the OBR entitled Fiscal risks and sustainability, published on 8 July 2025, whether her Department has made its own assessment of the long-term sustainability of the state pension.

The Government is absolutely committed to supporting pensioners and giving them the dignity and security they deserve in retirement. State Pension payments are paid from the National Insurance Fund (NIF). The Government reviews forecasts of the NIF balance every five years to inform future decisions. The Government Actuary’s Department is currently undertaking its quinquennial review.

If he will make an estimate of the cost to the public purse of (a) consultations and (b) reviews conducted by his Department since 4 July 2024.

The information requested is not held centrally and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.

Whether he has made an assessment of the likely mix of housing occupancy types for people attaining state pension age in each of the next five decades.

The Government has relaunched the Pensions Commission to consider the outcomes and risks for future cohorts of pensioners, taking into consideration the role housing plays amongst other factors. The Commission will report in 2027.

Whether his Department withholds state pension payments to people convicted of illegal working.

Anyone convicted of a criminal offence and serving a custodial sentence in the UK is not eligible to receive State Pension payments during their imprisonment. People not in prison but convicted of illegal working, would not be making National Insurance contributions during any period of illegal working, which would be required to build entitlement for the State Pension.

If he will make an assessment of the potential impact of the Personal Independence Payments Bill on public finances.

As I set out in the House of Commons on 1 July 2025, this Government has listened to the concerns raised by Members from across the House regarding the proposed changes to Personal Independence Payment (PIP).Clause 5 of the Universal Credit and Personal Independence Payment Bill would have amended the legal framework underpinning PIP assessments, specifically by implementing a new requirement that claimants must score a minimum of four points in at least one daily living activity to be eligible for the daily living component of PIP. In light of the concerns raised, we have removed clause 5 from the Bill in Committee. Any changes to PIP eligibility will come after a comprehensive review of the benefit, led by myself and co-produced with disabled people, the organisations that represent them, clinicians, experts, MPs and other stakeholders, so a wide range of views and voices are heard. This review aims to ensure that the PIP assessment is fair and fit for the future.

If she will make an assessment of the potential impact of apprenticeships on increasing the environmental health workforce.

Employers operating in environmental health have developed the environmental health practitioner level 6 degree apprenticeship to help them develop their workforces. Further detail about the apprenticeship can be found on the Skills England website at: https://skillsengland.education.gov.uk/apprenticeships/st0714-v1-0. The government is transforming the apprenticeships offer into a new growth and skills offer, which will offer greater flexibility to employers and learners in England and support the industrial strategy. In August the department introduced new foundation apprenticeships for young people in targeted sectors, as well as shorter duration apprenticeships. These flexibilities will help more people learn new high-quality skills at work and fuel innovation in businesses across the country. Skills England is working closely with employers to identify priority skills gaps, helping ensure that the levy-funded growth and skills offer delivers value for money, meets the needs of business and helps kick-start economic growth.

If she will conduct a lessons learned review from the initial period of the decision to withdraw universal Winter Fuel Payments.

The Government linked eligibility for Winter Fuel Payments to receipt of Pension Credit or certain other benefits for winter 2024/25 to help address immediate fiscal pressures, and to focus them on those with the lowest incomes. From this winter (2025/26), the vast majority of pensioners in England and Wales – over three quarters – will now benefit from Winter Fuel Payments. Payments will be made to all pensioners in England and Wales. As in previous years, these will be payments of between £100 and £300, depending on age and whether the pensioner is living alone or in a household with another pensioner. Pensioners with a total income over £35,000 (excluding disability benefits), and who are not in receipt of Pension Credit or other relevant means-tested benefit, will have the Winter Fuel Payment recovered through the tax system.

Whether her Department has made an assessment of the potential merits of increasing the pension credit threshold.

The rates of Pension Credit are reviewed annually as part of the Secretary of State’s statutory review of State pension and benefit rates. Following the last review in Autumn 2024, the Standard Minimum Guarantee in Pension Credit increased by 4.1% in line with average earnings. This raised it to £227.10 a week for a single pensioner and £346.60 a week for a couple from 7 April 2025. The next review will be undertaken following confirmation in October by the Office of National Statistics of the earnings and prices indices which are used to inform the review.

What steps she is taking to support employment in the production of Sustainable Aviation Fuels.

This government recognises the importance of the clean energy sector to economic growth. The Department works closely with DfT to help people on benefits find employment with employers in the transport sector. Government support for low carbon fuel production, including sustainable aviation fuel, is designed to unlock private investment and create high-quality green jobs. Low carbon fuel production is expected to support up to 15,000 jobs and contribute £5bn to the economy by 2050. The ability to connect jobseekers looking for roles with employers requiring workers at the right time and in the right places is vital to support the transition to net zero and supports the move to an 80% employment rate. Reskilling and increasing the transferability of workers between sectors will be essential for a fair transition.

If she will make an estimate of the number of pensioners with a net worth of over £1 million who are eligible for pension credit.

The Department does not collect data on individuals’ net worth.

If she will make an estimate of the number of pensioners with a net worth of over £1 million who will be eligible to receive Winter Fuel Payments.

The Department does not collect data on individuals’ net worth.

If she will make an estimate of the (a) decile, (b) upper quartile, (c) lower quartile and (d) median annual income of pensioners with a net worth of £1 million or above.

The Department does not collect data on individuals’ net worth.