HC Deb 02 November 1998 vol 318 cc391-2W
Mr. Hancock

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the cost of equalising retirement benefits for United Kingdom state pensioners resident in other countries. [55802]

Mr. Prior

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners, with United Kingdom pension rights, living abroad have had their pensions frozen; and if he will estimate the cost of upgrading these pensions. [56227]

Mr. Denham

Around 450,000 pensioners living abroad receive a basic UK State Pension which is frozen, either at the rate paid on leaving the UK or, if already living abroad, at the rate when first awarded.

The total annual cost of uprating frozen UK basic State Pensions paid overseas to the rate paid to pensioners resident in the UK would be £275 million.

Mr. Prior

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if the Pensions Review will examine the pension claims of those pensioners living abroad. [56228]

Mr. Denham

The Pensions Review has received a number of representations from pensioners and organisations representing pensioners who live in countries where basic UK pension rates are not uprated in line with pensions paid in the UK.

As there are competing demands and constraints on Social Security spending in the United Kingdom, it would be wrong to raise expectations that uprating UK pensions paid abroad is likely to attract priority in the current circumstances.

Mr. Prior

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners with United Kingdom pension rights are currently living abroad. [56230]

Mr. Denham

Around 840,000 pensioners living abroad receive a United Kingdom basic State Pension.

Mr. Webb

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 26 October 1998,Official Report, column 25, on pensioner incomes, by what means hon. Members may obtain statistical information on the incomes of pensioners prior to 1979. [57660]

Mr. Denham

The Department's Pensioners' Incomes Series datasets start with 1979. Consistent datasets for earlier years could be provided only at disproportionate cost.

The Department does hold a copy of the Households Below Average Income 1961 to 1991 dataset created by the Institute for Fiscal Studies. It has not been used to analyse pensioners incomes. It is Government Statistical Service practice to use only datasets created within Government Departments or under the direction of Government analysts for answering questions that require fresh analysis.

Mr. Prior

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on the date of publication of the Pensions Review. [56229]

Mr. Denham

As set out in the Green Paper "New Ambitions for our country: A New Contract for Welfare" (Cm 3805), we will publish a Green Paper on pensions later this year. There will then be a period of further consultation before final proposals are developed.