§ Lord Norton of Louthasked Her Majesty's Government:
What resources are provided from public funds for those who have held office as Ministers of the Crown, including those who have served as Prime Minister. [HL4350]
§ The Minister of State, Cabinet Office (Lord Falconer of Thoroton)Those who have served as Ministers of the Crown are entitled to pension benefits from the Parliamentary Contributory Pension Fund, to which contributions are made by both the Ministers themselves and by the Exchequer.
Under the terms of Section 4 of the Ministerial and other Pensions and Salaries Act 1991, Ministers are entitled to receive a severance payment of one quarter of their final annual ministerial salary when they leave office. This applies as long as the individual is under the age of 65 and is not appointed to another relevant ministerial or other paid office within three weeks of leaving office. The Prime Minister and the Lord Chancellor are not included in this scheme.
A Public Duties Cost Allowance (with a maximum value equal to that of the Office Costs Allowance in the other place) is available to former Prime Ministers who remain active in public life. The allowance may be used to reimburse the cost of maintaining an office and secretarial expenses incurred directly as a result of their having held the office of Prime Minister.
Resources are also made available as appropriate to provide any necessary security arrangements for former Ministers.