§ Mr. HainTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people have had their reduced earnings allowance reduced since 24 March; and if he will list their former occupations. [33258]
§ Mr. Roger EvansSince 24 March, approximately 18,000 over pensionable age reduced earnings allowance recipients who have given up regular employment have been transferred to retirement allowance.
Information about the former occupations of these retirement allowance recipients could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
§ Mr. HainTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the estimated savings to his Department as a result of the recent changes in reduced earnings allowance; and what proportion of his Department's total expenditure this represents. [33259]
§ Mr. EvansThe estimated savings from the changes to reduced earnings allowance introduced with effect from 24 March 1996 are £25 million in 1996–d97. This is, approximately 0.03 per cent. of the Department's total expenditure.