HC Deb 10 March 1989 vol 148 cc716-7W
Mr. Nigel Griffiths

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the cost of(a) ending the earnings limit to pension entitlement and (b) raising the earnings limit to £100 per week.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

[holding answer 28 February 1989]: The estimated public expenditure costs of (a) abolishing the retirement pension earnings rule and (b) increasing the level of permitted weekly earnings to £100 would be £355 million1 and £40 million1 respectively in 1989–90.

1 These estimates are based on 1989–90 benefit rates, and do not take account of tax effects.