HC Deb 08 February 1995 vol 254 cc306-7W
Dr. Godman

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the total amount of unemployment benefit claimed in each of the past five years in(a) Inverclyde, (b) Strathclyde and (c) Scotland as a whole.

Mr. Roger Evans

The information requested is not readily available and could be obtained only at disproportionate cost.

EU— contributions towards pensions
Employer Employee Ceiling Benefits covered
Portugal 24 per cent. 11 per cent. No Old age, survivors, sickness, maternity, invalidity, unemployment, family
Spain 24.4 per cent. 4.9 per cent. Yes Old age, survivors, survivors, sickness, invalidity, family benefits
Sweden1 Basic pension: 7.45 per cent. Supplementary pension: 13 per cent. Nil No Old age, survivors, invalidity
UK No contributions for weekly earnings below £57; otherwise: 3.6 per cent., 5.6 per cent., 7.6 per cent. or 10.2 per cent., depending on level of earnings Rates are reduced by 3 per cent. if employee is contracted out of state earnings-related pension No contributions for weekly earnings below £57; otherwise: 2 per cent. of £57 plus 10 per cent. Rates are reduced by 1.8 per cent. if employee is contracted out of state earnings-related pension Employees only Old age, survivors, sickness, maternity, invalidity, unemployment

Sources:

Social Protection in the Member States of the Union—MISSOC 1994

1Comparative tables of social security schemes—Council of Europe 1992