Written questions by McMurdock.

Whether he plans to review the uprating mechanism for the pre-2016 State Pension.

There are no current plans to review the uprating mechanism for the pre-2016 State Pension.

What recent assessment he has made of the potential impact of maintaining two different types of state pension on the economy.

No recent assessment has been made. State Pensions are paid in accordance with the rules in place at the point the person reaches State Pension age. This Government is committed to supporting both current pensioners and future retirees and ensuring a decent standard of living for all. That is why the Government have recently launched the Pensions Commission to ensure our pensions system delivers this in the decades ahead. The Pensions Commission will consider what is required in the long term to deliver a pensions framework that is stronger, fairer and more sustainable.

What comparative assessment his Department has made of rates of pensioner poverty between people receiving the (a) pre-2016 and (b) new state pension.

Estimates of the rates of pensioner poverty categorised by people receiving the pre-2016 State Pension or new State Pension are not available, as this categorisation is not recorded in the Family Resources Survey. Statistics on the number of individuals living in families where at least one member is in receipt of State Pension that are in Absolute and/or Relative Poverty in 2023/24 are published on Stat-Xplore (https://stat-xplore.dwp.gov.uk/) in the Households Below Average Income dataset.

What steps his Department is taking to ensure that pensioners who retired before April 2016 do not fall into poverty.

The Government is committed to supporting pensioners and ensuring they have financial security and dignity in retirement. The State Pension remains the foundation of our support for pensioners. In April this year, both the basic and new State Pensions increased by 4.1%, benefitting over 12 million pensioners by up to £470. And our commitment to maintain the Triple Lock – helping to protect the value of the State Pension – for the entirety of this Parliament will see pensioners’ yearly incomes rise significantly. Pensioners who reached State Pension age before April 2016, and therefore receive the basic State Pension, may also receive an earnings-related additional State Pension (also known as the State Earnings-Related Pension Scheme (SERPS) or from April 2002 the State Second Pension) and Graduated Retirement Benefit. This means that although the rate of the basic State Pension is set below the rate of the new State Pension, a person who retired before April 2016 may be receiving a larger amount of pension than just the basic rate – and in many cases above the level of the new State Pension. Pension Credit continues to provide vital financial support for pensioners who, for whatever reason, have been unable to save for or contribute towards their retirement and find themselves on a low income. It was introduced by the last Labour Government specifically to help prevent pensioners falling into poverty and it does this by guaranteeing a minimum level of income, currently £227.10 week for a single pensioner or £346.40 week for a couple. For pensioners who reached State Pension age before April 2016, the Savings Credit element of Pension Credit also provides a tapered award for those with other income such as a modest private or occupational pension. Receipt of Pension Credit opens the door to other financial support, including Housing Benefit, Council Tax support and help with NHS costs as well as help with fuel bills and a free TV licence for those over 75. That is why we continue to promote Pension Credit to eligible pensioners and their family and friends, with our ongoing campaign featuring adverts on television and radio; on social media and on digital screens in GP surgeries and Post Offices, as well as in the press.

What steps his Department is taking to improve the enforcement of child maintenance payments.

The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) is committed to making the most effective use of its strong enforcement powers and have made a number of improvements to its processes to drive case compliance and challenge non-compliant behaviours. The Department publishes quarterly statistics for the Child Maintenance Service (CMS) and the latest statistics are currently available to June 2025. Table 6 in the latest National tables provides information on all enforcement actions used by the CMS from quarter ending June 2015 to quarter ending June 2025 to collect both the maintenance arranged by the CMS, and Child Support Agency arrears that have been transitioned to CMS systems. This may include actions taken against parents for whom no ongoing maintenance has been arranged under the CMS. The table shows that between April 2017 and June 2025, the CMS has collected a total of £95.9m from Paying Parents via civil enforcement actions.

What recent assessment his Department has made of the potential impact of unreliable child maintenance payments on child poverty.

We know that children in separated families are poorer and more likely to live in poverty than those in non-separated families. Child maintenance payment through both statutory and non-statutory arrangements keep approximately 120,000 children out of poverty each year. DWP estimates that streamlining the CMS into a single maintenance collection and transfer service in line with our current proposals for change could result in around 20,000 fewer children in poverty. The Child Maintenance Service (CMS) will work hard to make sure parents pay in full and on time. Where parents fail to take responsibility for paying for their children, the CMS will not hesitate to use the range enforcement powers available. The CMS is committed to using these powers fairly and in the best interests of children and separated families. Our current proposals should result in securing money for children more quickly in many of these cases.

What recent assessment he has made of the accessibility of graduate employment opportunities in each (a) region and b) subject.

The Department for Education publishes employment and earnings outcomes of graduates and postgraduates each year, based on data collected by the Higher Education Statistics Authority, His Majesty’s Revenue and Customs, and the Department of Work and Pensions. The publication includes breakdowns by region, with data on graduate movement between regions before, during, and after study, as well as by subject studied, including detailed information on the industries graduates enter. The publication can be found here: LEO Graduate and Postgraduate Outcomes, Tax year 2022-23 - Explore education statistics - GOV.UK. This data has been available since 26th June 2025.

What steps he is taking to ensure that jobseekers receive prompt CV support.

I refer the hon. Member to the answer I gave on 10 September to PQ 73218

What steps he is taking to monitor the effectiveness of employment support programmes for young people.

I refer the Hon. member to the answer I gave 16 September to PQ 75889, referencing DWP evaluations which demonstrate the effectiveness of support programmes for young people. The department will continue to build on the existing evidence base as we test, learn and improve the support available to help young people to find, stay in, and progress in work. Our current evaluation plans include a dedicated evaluation of the Youth Guarantee Trailblazers. Preparatory research is already underway to map activities, identify outcome pathways, and understand the supporting systems. As part of this research, we will also assess the feasibility of different methods to evaluate the impact of the Youth Guarantee Trailblazers. A process and theory-based evaluation will also be commissioned as part of a wider Get Britain Working Trailblazer evaluation, scheduled to begin in early 2026.

What assessment he has made of the effectiveness of employment support programmes in reducing youth unemployment.

Extended periods of unemployment at a young age can lead to poorer health outcomes and reduced lifetime earnings, making early intervention critical. The DWP Youth Offer provides intensive, tailored support to 16 – 24-year-olds claiming Universal Credit (UC), with the aim of maximising employment outcomes. The Youth Offer comprises three main elements: the Youth Employment Programme, Youth Hubs and Youth Employability Coaches (YECs). Each element is designed to support young people based on their proximity to the labour market. The Youth Employment Programme is designed to support those who are work ready. Youth Hubs support those with moderate barriers to work, offering a blend of Jobcentre Plus support and place-based services through local partnerships. For Young People with more complex needs, YECs provide intensive, tailored support for up to six months, helping them to build confidence, skills and readiness for work, where employment is a longer-term goal. Our Youth Offer Process Evaluation, Youth Offer process evaluation - GOV.UK published October last year, found that the majority of customers felt the support was useful, confidence-building, and tailored to their individual circumstances. Youth Hub customers were particularly likely to report that the support met their needs. In addition to those moving into employment, customers had achieved a variety of different interim outcomes including gaining skills, confidence and work experience. Where possible, the Department evaluates the impact of its programmes or schemes on employment and other relevant outcomes. Recent evaluations of the Job Entry Targeted Support scheme, Sector-based Work Academy Programme, the Kickstart scheme and the Youth Employment Initiative all demonstrate the effectiveness of these approaches to supporting additional young people into employment and are published on GOV.UK. Research and statistics - GOV.UK

What assessment has she made of the (a) quality and (b) security of employment among young people aged 16 to 24.

The employment rate among young people aged 16 to 24 has increased by 1.0%pts on the year to 51.8%. This could indicate that the quality and job security has increased. The Department understands the negative effects of unemployment can be particularly pronounced for young people and can have longstanding implications on their future earnings potential and life chances. This is why DWP have a particular focus on ensuring young people are supported into employment, whilst also recognising their needs will vary depending on where they live and their own individual circumstances. DWP currently provides young people aged 16-24 with labour market support through an extensive range of interventions at a national and local level. This includes flexible provision driven by local need, nationwide employment programmes and support delivered by work coaches based in our Jobcentres and in local communities working alongside partners.

What recent assessment she has made of the potential reasons for the increase in the number of unemployed 16 to 24 year olds in the last year.

The Department understands the negative effects of unemployment can be particularly pronounced for young people and can have longstanding implications on their future earnings potential and life chances. A range of factors influence employment opportunities for this age group, including low skills levels, disadvantage linked to socio-economic background, care experience, health issues (in particular, worsening mental health) and higher prevalence of Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND). This is why despite Youth Employment increasing by 39,000 since publication of the governments White Paper Get Britain Working - GOV.UK DWP have a focus on ensuring young people are supported into employment, whilst also recognising their needs will vary depending on where they live and their own individual circumstances DWP already provides young people aged 16-24 with labour market support through an extensive range of interventions at a national and local level. This includes flexible provision driven by local need, nationwide employment programmes and support delivered by Work Coaches based in our Jobcentres and in local communities working alongside partners.

What assessment she has made of the need to clarify trustee fiduciary duties regarding inflation protection.

I understand the concerns that have been raised over the issue of inflation protection for defined benefit pensions (indexation). Discretionary indexation is over and above statutory and scheme requirements. Trustees can already award discretionary increases where scheme rules allow. Decisions on discretionary benefits are usually exercised by the trustees with the agreement of the sponsoring employer. The Pension Schemes Bill makes changes so that more trustees of well-funded schemes have the flexibility to share their scheme surplus with employers, subject to strict funding safeguards for members. Scheme trustees are required to act in the interests of scheme beneficiaries, and can agree with employers how members can benefit from the release of any surplus which may include discretionary indexation. The Pensions Regulator (TPR) has expressed that trustees should consider the situation of those members who would benefit from a discretionary increase and whether the scheme has a history of making such awards. TPR will be producing further guidance on surplus sharing once the legislation is in place.

What steps she is taking to provide employment support to young people not in education, employment or training.

The Get Britain Working White Paper set out our cross-Government plan to get people into work and get on at work. A key focus is supporting young people into employment, education or training. We are planning to offer greater employment support in every part of the country to ensure that those who need it – including young people – can access opportunities to get into work and fulfil their potential. As part of this, the government will launch a new Youth Guarantee for all young people aged 18-21 in England to ensure that they can access quality training opportunities, an apprenticeship or help to find work. DWP already provides young people aged 16-24 with labour market support through an extensive range of interventions at a national and local level. This includes flexible provision driven by local need, nationwide employment programmes and support delivered by Work Coaches based in our Jobcentres and in local communities working alongside partners. In addition, Youth Hubs and Jobcentres across the country are increasing awareness of the Flexible Support Fund, which can help cover costs such as transport to job interviews, Jobcentres and training courses – removing practical barriers to employment.

What steps she is taking to reduce the time taken for job seekers to receive appointments for improving CVs.

Customers have regular appointments with their Work Coach. For those in the Intensive Work Search regime, who are the most likely to be seeking work, these are usually weekly in the first 13 weeks of their claim. Where it is identified or requested that there is a need to create or improve their CV, their Work Coach is equipped to coach the customer to create or improve their CV which can be undertaken in these regular appointments. Where the customer requires additional support to this coaching, the work coach may refer the customer to other appropriate support or provision.

What assessment she has made of the potential impact of child maintenance deductions before paternity was disproven on the finances of men who were subsequently shown to have been wrongly identified as fathers.

Parentage disputes can be raised at any point in the life cycle of a child maintenance case.If parentage is disputed before the initial maintenance calculation is made, the CMS will need to decide whether an assumption of parentage can be made. The circumstances on which the CMS can make an assumption about parentage are prescribed in legislation, such as the paying parent being registered as the father on the child’s birth certificate. If none of the assumption grounds apply, then a maintenance calculation cannot be made until the parentage dispute is resolved. If parentage cannot be assumed, all parties will be invited to take a DNA test. If parentage is disputed after the initial maintenance calculation is made, including instances where the maintenance is collected via wage deductions, the CMS will decide whether there is conclusive evidence to confirm that the paying parent is not the parent of the child in question. Conclusive evidence is either a DNA test result from an approved tester or a court declaration of parentage or non-parentage. Where a DNA test is requested by the paying parent, the cost is paid by the paying parent. If the DNA test shows that they are not the parent, they will no longer be liable for child maintenance payments and will receive a refund for the cost of the DNA test. The CMS will also consider an application for a refund of any maintenance paid to date. The DWP keeps all policies under review. Whenever the DWP does announce an intention to make significant policy changes then the Department will invite views and perspectives – including those of paying parents - through a process of consultation.

If she will make an assessment of the potential merits of bringing forward legislative proposals to make paternity DNA testing mandatory in all disputed child maintenance cases before deductions begin.

Parentage disputes can be raised at any point in the life cycle of a child maintenance case.If parentage is disputed before the initial maintenance calculation is made, the CMS will need to decide whether an assumption of parentage can be made. The circumstances on which the CMS can make an assumption about parentage are prescribed in legislation, such as the paying parent being registered as the father on the child’s birth certificate. If none of the assumption grounds apply, then a maintenance calculation cannot be made until the parentage dispute is resolved. If parentage cannot be assumed, all parties will be invited to take a DNA test. If parentage is disputed after the initial maintenance calculation is made, including instances where the maintenance is collected via wage deductions, the CMS will decide whether there is conclusive evidence to confirm that the paying parent is not the parent of the child in question. Conclusive evidence is either a DNA test result from an approved tester or a court declaration of parentage or non-parentage. Where a DNA test is requested by the paying parent, the cost is paid by the paying parent. If the DNA test shows that they are not the parent, they will no longer be liable for child maintenance payments and will receive a refund for the cost of the DNA test. The CMS will also consider an application for a refund of any maintenance paid to date. The DWP keeps all policies under review. Whenever the DWP does announce an intention to make significant policy changes then the Department will invite views and perspectives – including those of paying parents - through a process of consultation.

Whether she has undertaken a recent review of the Child Maintenance Service's approach to paternity disputes.

Parentage disputes can be raised at any point in the life cycle of a child maintenance case.If parentage is disputed before the initial maintenance calculation is made, the CMS will need to decide whether an assumption of parentage can be made. The circumstances on which the CMS can make an assumption about parentage are prescribed in legislation, such as the paying parent being registered as the father on the child’s birth certificate. If none of the assumption grounds apply, then a maintenance calculation cannot be made until the parentage dispute is resolved. If parentage cannot be assumed, all parties will be invited to take a DNA test. If parentage is disputed after the initial maintenance calculation is made, including instances where the maintenance is collected via wage deductions, the CMS will decide whether there is conclusive evidence to confirm that the paying parent is not the parent of the child in question. Conclusive evidence is either a DNA test result from an approved tester or a court declaration of parentage or non-parentage. Where a DNA test is requested by the paying parent, the cost is paid by the paying parent. If the DNA test shows that they are not the parent, they will no longer be liable for child maintenance payments and will receive a refund for the cost of the DNA test. The CMS will also consider an application for a refund of any maintenance paid to date. The DWP keeps all policies under review. Whenever the DWP does announce an intention to make significant policy changes then the Department will invite views and perspectives – including those of paying parents - through a process of consultation.

What plans she has to review the child maintenance service policy to ensure there are no wage deductions before paternity is (a) legally and (b) biologically confirmed.

Parentage disputes can be raised at any point in the life cycle of a child maintenance case.If parentage is disputed before the initial maintenance calculation is made, the CMS will need to decide whether an assumption of parentage can be made. The circumstances on which the CMS can make an assumption about parentage are prescribed in legislation, such as the paying parent being registered as the father on the child’s birth certificate. If none of the assumption grounds apply, then a maintenance calculation cannot be made until the parentage dispute is resolved. If parentage cannot be assumed, all parties will be invited to take a DNA test. If parentage is disputed after the initial maintenance calculation is made, including instances where the maintenance is collected via wage deductions, the CMS will decide whether there is conclusive evidence to confirm that the paying parent is not the parent of the child in question. Conclusive evidence is either a DNA test result from an approved tester or a court declaration of parentage or non-parentage. Where a DNA test is requested by the paying parent, the cost is paid by the paying parent. If the DNA test shows that they are not the parent, they will no longer be liable for child maintenance payments and will receive a refund for the cost of the DNA test. The CMS will also consider an application for a refund of any maintenance paid to date. The DWP keeps all policies under review. Whenever the DWP does announce an intention to make significant policy changes then the Department will invite views and perspectives – including those of paying parents - through a process of consultation.

What plans she has to improve the Child Maintenance Service's procedural safeguards within paternity disputes.

Parentage disputes can be raised at any point in the life cycle of a child maintenance case.If parentage is disputed before the initial maintenance calculation is made, the CMS will need to decide whether an assumption of parentage can be made. The circumstances on which the CMS can make an assumption about parentage are prescribed in legislation, such as the paying parent being registered as the father on the child’s birth certificate. If none of the assumption grounds apply, then a maintenance calculation cannot be made until the parentage dispute is resolved. If parentage cannot be assumed, all parties will be invited to take a DNA test. If parentage is disputed after the initial maintenance calculation is made, including instances where the maintenance is collected via wage deductions, the CMS will decide whether there is conclusive evidence to confirm that the paying parent is not the parent of the child in question. Conclusive evidence is either a DNA test result from an approved tester or a court declaration of parentage or non-parentage. Where a DNA test is requested by the paying parent, the cost is paid by the paying parent. If the DNA test shows that they are not the parent, they will no longer be liable for child maintenance payments and will receive a refund for the cost of the DNA test. The CMS will also consider an application for a refund of any maintenance paid to date. The DWP keeps all policies under review. Whenever the DWP does announce an intention to make significant policy changes then the Department will invite views and perspectives – including those of paying parents - through a process of consultation.