HC Deb 05 May 2000 vol 349 c254W
Mr. Portillo

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what has been the percentage change in the value of UK pension funds since May 1997. [120993]

Mr. Rooker

Information is not available from May 1997 as data is collected on an annual basis. The percentage increase in the value of UK pension funds between December 1996 and December 1997 (the most recent figure available), above is 17 per cent.

Note:

The amount of money set aside to meet pensions liabilities is a proxy for the amount of money held in pensions.

Source:

ONS estimates based partly on "DTI returns".

Mr. Portillo

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many new occupational pension schemes were set up in(a) 1979 to 1996, (b) 1997, (c) 1998 and (d) 1999. [121018]

Mr. Rooker

The information is in the table.

Number of new occupational pension schemes which registered with the Pension Schemes Registry
Period Number
1979 to 1996 159,054
1997 6,133
1998 4,939
1999 3,170

Note:

Pension schemes have to register with the Pension Schemes Registry when they have two or more members and have applied for, or received, tax approval from the Inland Revenue