Pensions (British Citizens, Portugal)

HC Deb 13 February 1979 vol 962 c513W

Mr. David Atkinson

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the lowest weekly pension currently being paid to single people and married couples who are British citizens living in Portugal.

Mr. Orme

The lowest rates of British pensions in payment to pensioners in Portugal at present—excluding a few pensioners who are only entitled to small amounts of graduated benefit—areWidows pension 74p a week Single Retirement pensioner £1.13 a week Married Couple retirement pensioners 0.30 a week.

All the above pensioners would, however, be entitled to only 28 per cent. of the standard rate of pension if they were in the United Kingdom. The nationality of these pensioners is not recorded as this is irrelevant in determining pensions. entitlement.