§ 27. Mr. Hugh Jenkinsasked the Minister of Social Security why under her regulations earnings related benefits are not 40 payable to persons who continue to work after normal retiring age.
§ Mr. PentlandIt was considered right to continue the long-established existing arrangements, which provided that unemployment and sickness benefit for a person over pension age should be at a rate equivalent to the flat-rate retirement pension payable on retirement at that age.
§ Mr. JenkinsIs not my hon. Friend aware that a man over pensionable age pays an increased contribution? Would it not, therefore, be just for him to receive an increased reward for it?
§ Mr. PentlandNo, Sir. My hon. Friend will probably be aware that a number of possibilities were considered in the formulation of the earnings related scheme and during the passage of the Bill. We have always made it clear that the present earnings related scheme is an interim scheme and we shall certainly consider the position of this group in the major review.