§ Mr. Rookerasked the Minister for the Civil Service if she will publish details regarding the public sector pensions affected by clause 1 of the Social Security Bill showing the number of pensioners in the various categories of the public sector and the annual saving in each category.
§ Mr. HayhoeOfficial pensions within the meaning of the Pensions (Increase) Act 1971 are increased at the same time and by the same amount as the additional component of State retirement benefits. These will be affected by clause 1 of the Bill, as will pensioners of other bodies, including most nationalised industries, the rules of whose schemes require increases in line with official pensions. Details are not available centrally about pensions in the wider public sector, but there are currently about 1.6 million official pensions in payment. It is estimated that clause 1 will save nearly £10 million on these pensions in 1981–82 and £26½ million in a full year. Approximate details for each service are as follows:
Pensions in payment 000's Approximate Exchequer saving in full year (£ million) Civil and Diplomatic Services 385 6 NHS 205 3½ Local Government 328 3½* Teachers 187 5½ Police and Fire 132 2 Overseas 60 1 ½ Armed Forces† 295 5 TOTAL 1,592 26 ½‡ NOTES: * A further saving of about £2 ½ million is expected on expediture borne by local authorities. † Although not covered directly by the 1971 Act. armed forces pensions are increased in line with official pensions. ‡ Figures do not total because of rounding.