§ Mr. Meacherasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will estimate for the years 1987, 2007 and 2027 (a) the number of people in the working population, (b) the number of people in the retired population,(c) the average gross income for employment per member of the working population, and (d) the average gross income from pensions per member of the retired population, subdivided between state pensions, occupational pensions and lump sums from occupational pension schemes; with money expressed at 1987 prices and the figures for 2007 and 2027 assuming rates of growth of (i) 1 per cent. per year and (ii) 3 per cent. per year and the impact of personal pensions ignored.
§ Mr. Major[pursuant to his reply, 12 March 1987. c. 300–301]: The information is not readily available in the form or for the years requested. Table 1 shows estimated numbers of people in the working population and retired population in 1987–88, 2003–04 and 2023–24. Table 2 shows the estimated average annual gross income from 39W employment per member of the working population in 1987–88, 2003–04 and 2023–24 assuming an annual average earnings growth of (a).1.5 per cent. and (b) 3 per cent. Table 3 shows the composition of pensioners' incomes in 1985.
Table 1 Thousands Working Population1 Retired Population2 1987–88 27,550 9,620 2003–04 27,400 9,780 2023–24 26,750 12,160
Table 2 estimated average gross income from employment3 £ per annum £ per annum 1.5 per cent, earnings growth 3 per cent. earnings growth 1987–88 7,200 7,200 2003–04 10,000 12,700 2023–24 13,500 22,900
Table 3 Composition of Pensioners' Incomes 19854 £per week at 1985 prices Retirement pension and income related benefits 50.80 Other benefits 3.20 Occupational pensions 18.60 Investment income 12.80 Employment earnings 5.80 Total gross income 91.20 1 Total of those in employment or self-employment and unemployed included in Department of Employment monthly published statistics. Assumptions for the number of unemployed in 1987–88 are derived from the Government Actuary's report on the drafts of the Up-rating and Re-rating Orders 1986 (Cm. 24); 6 per cent, unemployment assumed for 2003–04 and 2023–24.
(thousands) Scotland Wales Northern Ireland United Kingdom Number of supplementary benefit claimants1 564 290 184 5,156 Number dependent on supplementary benefit1 832 501 372 8,646 Number of housing benefit claimants2 788 372 197 7,317 Note: No information is available on the number dependent on housing benefit.
1 At February 1986.
2 At April 1987.