HC Deb 21 January 1997 vol 288 cc541-2W
Mr. David Nicholson

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will make a statement on trends in teachers' premature retirement over the past 10 years; and what reports she has evaluated into advice issued by local education authorities relating to premature retirement over this period. [11588]

Mrs. Gillan

The following table shows the number of premature retirements for each of the last 10 years. The figures vary, but the peak number in 1995–96 was 44 per cent. above the number in 1986–87. My right hon. Friend has made no evaluation of research into advice issued by LEAs relating to premature retirement over this period.

Year of retirement Number of retirees
1986–87 9,087
1987–88 7,559
1988–89 12,346
1989–90 12,334
1990–91 11,692
1991–92 10,287
1992–93 12,214
1993–94 12,233
1994–95 10,608
1995–96 13,055

Mrs. Peacock

To ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment if she will list the total sum paid out in enhanced pension payments to teachers taking early retirement in Kirklees metropolitan council area in each of the past 10 years. [11790]

Mrs. Gillan

The information requested is given in the following table, which has been derived from the Department of Environment's RO 1 return. The figures for years 1985–86 to 1988–89 are drawn from memorandum line 2 and are for premature retirement compensation only. Those for subsequent years are for premature retirement and Crombie compensation payments, and it is not possible to split them down further.

Year (WOO)
1985–86 164
1986–87 29
1987–88 221
1988–89 534
1989–90 568
1990–91 255
1991–92 1,372
1992–93 838
1993–94 397
1994–95 410

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