§ Mr. Hordernasked the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will publish figures showing expenditure on wages and salaries and pensions for local authorities and water authorities at the latest convenient date, and the same figures a year ago.
§ Mr. KingThe available figures at outturn prices are as follows
(a) Wage and salary costsThe figures shown include employers' national insurance and superannuation contributions other than pensions increase payments for teachers which are met from the exchequer. They thus include the cost of pensions to the employers. Figures for water authorities cover direct employees on both revenue and capital account.
Wage and Salary Costs Local authorities (England and Wales) Water authorities (England and Wales) £m £m 1978/79 9,970 343.9 1979/80 11,800* 418.7 * (Provisional). (b) Pensions
The figures below show actual payments to pensioners (including payments to dependants and lump sum benefits) and refunds of contributions by local authority superannuation funds, police and firemen's pension schemes, and water authority schemes. Pensions increase payments are included.
Pension payments Local authorities (England and Wales) Water authorities (England and Wales £m £m 1978/79 558 14.0 1979/80 696* 19.6 * (Provisional)