HC Deb 16 October 1975 vol 897 cc773-4W
Mr. Weetch

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what rules exist relating to chairmen of area health authorities making statements which have

For a retirement pensioner receiving the current standard rate of retirement pension of £11.60 a week, or £18.50 for a married couple, the reductions are as follows:

Pensioner with a dependant Pensioner without a dependant
After 8 weeks in hospital £2.30 £4.60
After 52 weeks in hospital £2.30* £9.30†
* Where the balance of the £11.60 personal benefit is paid, with the pensioner's agreement, to a dependant. Otherwise the reduction is £9.30 but a £4.70 "resettlement benefit" accumlates for 52 weeks.
†A £4.70 "resettlement benefit" accumulates for 52 weeks.

There are special rules when both partners are in hospital and also as to who may be treated as a dependant in cases where a retirement pensioner has been in hospital for two years.

It is estimated that the reductions in retirement pensions amount to about £35 million a year at present rates of benefit