§ 59. Mr. Wattsasked the Minister for the Civil Service what are the cost implications of negotiations to facilitate early retirement from the Civil Service.
§ Mr. LuceThe negotiations are intended to secure more flexible early retirement arrangements within the Civil Service. The intention is that the average cost of early retirement will not increase.
§ Mr. WattsCan my right hon. Friend confirm that civil servants will not be able to retire on full pensions at the age of 50, as has been reported in recent press articles?
§ Mr. LuceI can confirm that there has been inaccurate press reporting of the matter. The proposal, which is part of a comprehensive package which is still being discussed, 20 is that civil servants should be given the right to retire on actuarially reduced pensions at no extra cost to the Exchequer.