HC Deb 07 December 1977 vol 940 cc708-9W
Mr. Arthur Lewis

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will give the total income including all supplements and payments in kind of a Metropolitan policeman and London fireman with 20 years' service, and with the pension allowance that would be payable if both retire from their services at the present date.

Mr. Merlyn Rees

Under the regulations giving effect to the recent 10 per cent, pay increase which I shall shortly lay before the House the annual pensionable salary of a uniformed Metropolitan police constable with 20 years' service will be £4,237. In addition he will be paid a non-pensionable undermanning allowance of £72 a year. If he is not in police accommodation provided free he will receive in addition a non-pensionable rent allowance up to £1,177 a year. Police officers receive additional payment for overtime when worked and certain officers receive additional allowances.

Without taking account of the 10 per cent. increase which has recently been offered from 7th November 1977 a London fireman with 20 years' service currently receives a pensionable salary of £4,019 a year. Eight hours of the fireman's 48-hour week are paid at a premium rate, included in the salary figure. Addtional payment is made for any casual overtime worked beyond 48 hours.

A policeman or fireman who retired in good health after 20 years' service who was not required to do so on grounds of age would be entitled to a deferred pension coming into payment at age 60. The deferred pension would be the same proportion of pensionable pay in both schemes, if age and service were similar. A Metropolitan constable under the age 45 with average pensionable pay of £4,237 would be entitled, on completing 20 years' service, to a deferred pension of £1,883 a year. A London fireman under age 45 with average pensionable pay of £4,019 would be entitled, on completing 20 years' service, to a deferred pension of £1,786 a year.

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