§ Mr. Newtonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how much of the cost of raising the earnings rule limit from £35 to £50 is attributable to the increased pensions which would be payable to retirement pensioners whose pensions are currently reduced or extinguished because of the earnings rule.
§ Mr. OrmeOut of the estimated cost in 1977–78 of moving from a £35 earnings limit, increased in line with earnings as proposed in the Social Security (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, to one of £50, some £3 million is attributable to the increased personal pensions payable to 871W those retirement pensioners who would be affected by the £35 earnings limit proposed in the Bill.
§ Mr. Newtonasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what would be the cost at current rates of benefit of moving from the £50 per week earnings rule limit to complete abolition.
§ Mr. OrmeThe estimated cost to the National Insurance Fund would be about £150 million in 1977–78, offset by some £45 million in respect of additional tax yields and a saving in exchequer supplement to the Fund.