§ Mr. PikeTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the number of(a) males and (b) females covered by SERPs; and what percentage of the work force it constituted in (i) 1993, (ii) 1994 and (iii) 1995. [12833]
§ Mr. HealdFigures are not available for 1994 or 1995. The latest figures available1 show that in 1992–93, 3.3 million men and 3.2 million women in the United Kingdom would accrue SERPS entitlement2, representing 22.8 per cent. of the work force3
Notes:
1 Source: 1 per cent. sample of national insurance records.
2 This is the number of people who paid class 1 national insurance contributions at the not contracted out rate over the year 1992–93 whose earnings factor was equal to or above the annual lower earnings limit.
3 Source: Employment Gazette December 1995. Workforce includes self-employed persons, HM Forces, people on Government training programmes and the claimant unemployed.
4 Information on the workforce is provided quarterly and is a point in time figures. In order to assess the number throughout the year the four quarters have been averaged. The percentage covered by SERPS has then been calculated using the average figure. The breakdown by sex is unavailable.