HC Deb 27 February 1992 vol 204 cc601-2W
Mr. Meacher

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the number of(a) men and (b) women who will lose in real terms as a result of the freezing of statutory sick pay for 1991–92 and 1992–93.

Mr. Scott

The information requested is not available and cannot be accurately estimated. Over 90 per cent. of employees work for employers with occupational sick pay (OSP) schemes and will have their statutory sick pay (SSP) topped up by OSP. The 1988 survey of occupational sick pay schemes found that the majority of employers with such schemes top up SSP to full pay. Most employees affected by the freezing of the higher rate of SSP will, therefore, have experienced no reduction in the amount they received when sick. Those employees on the lower rate have had their SSP entitlement fully protected by full retail prices index increases.

Mr. Meacher

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the total savings to the Exchequer for each year as a result of freezing higher rate statutory sick pay in 1991–92 and 1992–93.

Mr. Scott

The total estimated savings are:

£ million
1991–92 67
1992–93 89