HC Deb 02 February 1976 vol 904 c473W
Mr. Adam Butler

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the total amount paid in pensions in the last convenient 12-month period; and what was the number of pensioners involved.

Mr. Meacher

The cost of retirement pensions in 1974–75 was £3,609 million and the number of pensioners was 7,970,000. The estimated cost in 1975–76 is £4,860 million and the estimated number of pensioners 8,140,000.