HC Deb 19 October 1990 vol 177 cc945-6W
Mr. Moate

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what has been the increase in money terms and in real terms in the state retirement pension since 1979.

Mrs. Gillian Shephard

The state retirement pension rose in money terms from £23–30 in November 1979 to £46–90 in April 1990. The average real value of the basic state pension was over 5 per cent. higher during the 12 months to April 1990 than it was in the 12 months to November 1979.

Mr. Madden

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what monthly retail prices index figure will be used to calculate the increase in retirement pensions next April; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Gillian Shephard

The figure for September 1990 will be used.

Mr. Rooker

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list those countries where retired British citizens receive annual increases in retirement pensions and indicate those where arrangements for increase have been made since 1988 and those where discussions about such increases are currently taking place.

Mrs. Gillian Shephard

Under the European Community regulations, annual pension increases are paid to British pensioners in all the member states.

Outside the European Community, reciprocal arrangements enable increases in pensions to be paid to our pensioners in the following countries:

  • Austria
  • Bermuda
  • Cyprus
  • Finland
  • Guernsey
  • Iceland
  • Isle of Man
  • Israel
  • Jamaica
  • Jersey
  • Malta
  • Mauritius
  • Philippines
  • Sweden
  • Switzerland
  • Turkey
  • United States of America
  • Yugoslavia.

Increases are also payable to pensioners living in Sark. This is by virtue of a separate provision in the Social Security Benefits (Persons Abroad) Regulations 1975.

Since 1988 the payment of pension increases overseas has been extended through a revised convention with Sweden, effective from 1 May 1988, and a new convention with the Philippines, effective from 1 December 1989.

A revised convention with Norway was signed in Oslo on 19 June 1990 and this is now awaiting ratification. Negotiations are taking place on a new convention with Barbados. Both of these will eventually allow indexation of pensions.