HC Deb 10 April 2000 vol 348 cc26-7W
Mr. David Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people have had their state pensions reduced as a result of hospital downrating; and what the total benefit savings were in (i) 1979, (ii) 1984, (iii) 1989, (iv) 1994 and (v) 1999. [117872]

Mr. Rooker

Information is not available in the form requested. Such information as is available is in the table.

It is estimated that in 1999, the total reduction in benefit as a result of downrating was £60 million (to nearest £10 million). Figures for the earlier years are not available.

The number of people whose state pensions were reduced by hospital downrating on a specific date during each of the requested years
Thousand
Date All cases
30 November 1979 90
31 March 1984 85
31 March 1989 66
31 March 1994 39
31 March 1999 32

Notes:

  1. 1. Figures are rounded to the nearest thousand
  2. 2. The benefit savings estimate assumes a constant stock of pensioner in-patients throughout the year