§ 5. Mr. Gwilym Robertsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the estimated annual cost of making the pension age for both men and women 60, 62 and 63 years, respectively; and what plans he has for equating the pension ages of men and women.
§ Mr. EnnalsThe additional cost would depend on a number of factors, including the effect on retirement patterns, but the cost to the National Insurance Fund alone could be about £450 million, £250 million and £150 million, respectively, a year. As to the second part of the Question, our proposals are fully explained and set out for public comment and debate in the White Paper on National Superannuation and Social Insurance.
§ Mr. RobertsIs not my hon. Friend aware that millions of people are disappointed that there has been no movement towards equality of pension ages in the plan? In view of the minimal cost of having a common pension age at 62, does not my hon. Friend feel that there is room here to move, perhaps in stages though as urgently as possible, towards that end, and will he agree, also, that any suggestion to raise the pension age of women to 65 is abhorrent and contrary to the ideal of increased leisure for which, basically, we stand?
§ Mr. EnnalsThere were two parts to my hon. Friend's supplementary question. First, I do not agree that £250 million, the consequence of reducing the age to 62, is a small sum; it is a very significant sum. As regards women, my hon. Friend will note that the matter was weighed in the White Paper, which reached the conclusion,
The Government … do not consider that there is a sufficient case for raising women's pension age".This is, however, one of the parts of the White Paper which has green edges. It 12 is a matter for public debate, and there are some people who would argue that there is a case for equality.