To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his estimate is of the cost to the Exchequer of pension contribution holidays since 1985. (154826)

Pension contribution holidays cause no direct loss in tax revenue to the Exchequer.

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer pursuant to the answer of 24 July 2007, Official Report, columns 1010-1W, for what reasons it is not permissible for more than 25 per cent. of the total of a private pension to be drawn in cases where the total of the pension rights are larger than one per cent. of the lifetime allowance. (154873)

The Government provide pensions tax relief to support saving to produce an income in retirement. These reliefs include the ability to take up to 25 per cent. of a pension fund as a tax free lump sum, but it is right that the remainder should be used to produce an income throughout retirement.

Other savings vehicles such as ISAs are available for individuals to make additional savings for other purposes.