Pensions (Hansard, 21 December 1979)

§ Mr. Michael Brown
asked the Minister for the Civil Service if he proposes to make any changes in the basis upon which the pensions of former public servants who retired between 1976 and 1979 are paid.

§ Mr. Channon
The Government have considered carefully and sympathetically the many representations they have received, both direct from the public service pensioners concerned and from representative organisations acting on their behalf, about the effects of incomes policy on the pensionable pay of those who retired between 1976 and 1979. They recognise that this effect on pensions has422W been one of the unfortunate results of the last Government's incomes policy. The cost of increasing these pensions to the levels received by those who retired before or after the period of pay restraint would, however, be very considerable. In each case pensions have been calculated strictly in accordance with the rules of the relevant pension schemes and they are fully protected against price inflation. The Government have therefore concluded that they cannot take steps to improve the relative position of those whose pensions have been affected by past incomes policy. They recognise that this decision will be a disappointment to those concerned, but they cannot agree that, at a time of severe restraint on public expenditure, measures to improve these pensions should take priority over many other pressing demands.

§ Mr. Michael Morris
asked the Minister for the Civil Service what was the level of pension for a full general, a permanent secretary and a deputy secretary in 1972; and what is the present level of these same pensions to the latest available date.

§ Mr. Channon
The levels of pension payable to a full general, a permanent secretary and a deputy secretary who retired on 30 November 1972 after a full career are set out in column 1 below. The present levels of these same pensions after the application of pensions increase to 1 December 1979 are set out in column 2.

1. 2.

pension payable on 1 December 1972 pension payable on 1 December 1979

£ £

General 7,010^* 19,666

Permanent Secretary 7,217† 19,531

Deputy Secretary 4,799† 12,988

^* Assumes the maximum of 34 years, reckonable service since age 21

Assumes reckonable service of 37 years, the average service of permanent secretaries and deputy secretaries retiring in 1972 after a full career in the Civil Service.

	1.	2.
	pension payable on 1 December 1972	pension payable on 1 December 1979
	£	£
General	7,010^*	19,666
Permanent Secretary	7,217†	19,531
Deputy Secretary	4,799†	12,988
^* Assumes the maximum of 34 years, reckonable service since age 21
Assumes reckonable service of 37 years, the average service of permanent secretaries and deputy secretaries retiring in 1972 after a full career in the Civil Service.