HC Deb 10 November 1975 vol 899 c470W
Mr. Lawson

asked the Minister for the Civil Service whether retired civil servants, now resident abroad, receive inflation-proofed pension increases under the 1971 Act, or whether their pensions are frozen at the level obtaining at the time of their emigration, as is the case with State retirement pensions.

Mr. Charles R. Morris

Retired public servants receive increases under the provisions of the Pensions (Increase) Act 1971 wherever they reside.

Mr. Lawson

asked the Minister for the Civil Service what will be the percentage increases in public service pensions, other than those paid to former civil servants, that come into force on 1st December; what will be the cost of this increase; and how many former public servants, other than civil servants, will be in receipt of pensions in excess of £8,500 following this increase.

Mr. Charles R. Morris

For all the public services directly covered by the Pensions (Increase) Act 1971 pensions which came into payment before 2nd July 1974, between 2nd July 1974 and 1st January 1975, and between 2nd January 1975 and 1st July 1975 will be increased on 1st December by 26.1 per cent., 29.3 per cent. and 19.9 per cent. respectively. Armed Forces pensions are increased on an analogous basis. The cost, excluding that in respect of Civil Service pensioners, is estimated to be some £142 million over the 12 months to December 1976.

A total of some 130 public service pensioners who served in the Armed Forces, the judiciary, the National Health Service and teaching will have pensions of £8,500 or more following the 1st December increase, service pensioners.

Information is not available centrally about local government, police or fire