§ Mr. SpellarTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many national health service staff took early retirement in each of the last three years; and what was the total cost to the national health service.
§ Dr. MawhinneyThe number of people taking early retirement age 50 and over, except those retiring because of ill health, in each of the last three years is:
Early retirement Year Number 1991–92 3,108 1992–93 4,033 1993–94 6,318 National health service employers meet the full cost of paying these retirement benefits early. The total costs in each of the last three years are:
Early retirement Year £ 1991–92 19,222,371 1992–93 27,065,579 1993–94 42,522,384 The cost of ill health retirement is not charged to NHS employers. The number of people taking ill health retirement in each of the last three years is:
14W
Year Number 1991–92 7,387 1992–93 8,381 1993–94 6,613 Health Strategy for England" aim further to improve children's oral health and address regional variations. Copies of these documents are available in the Library.