§ 79. Mr. Rentonasked the Minister for the Civil Service what is the latest monthly cost of Civil Service pensions; and what the comparable figure was one year previously.
§ Mr. ChannonIt is estimated that £708.4 million will be spent on pensions and lump sums for retired civil servants and their dependants in 1980–81, a monthly expenditure of approximately £59 million, The comparable figures for 1979–80 were £579.0 million and £48 million. Some 45 per cent. of expenditure this year will be met from salary reduc192W tions and direct contributions made by civil servants. The net charge to the Exchequer will, therefore, be about £32 million a month which is equal to about 9 per cent. of the salary bill. Last year, the net charge was about £29 million a month or about 10 per cent. of the salary bill for that year.