To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of the impact of increasing the upper earnings limit for personal accounts in line with the proposed increase in the upper earnings limit for national insurance contributions on the intended focus of personal accounts on those on median and below median earnings. (137975)

The personal accounts earnings band thresholds will be set at around £5,000 and £33,500 (in 2006-07 terms) uprated thereafter annually in line with average earnings. This will establish the thresholds in their own right and break the link with tax and NICs thresholds and will ensure that personal accounts is targeted at moderate to low earners.