HL Deb 03 May 2001 vol 625 c130WA
Lord Shore of Stepney

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Baroness Hollis of Heigham on 9 April (WA 152–153), what is the estimated cost of uprating National Insurance retirement pensions to United Kingdom pensioners now living in Commonwealth countries other than Cyprus, Jamaica, Malta and Mauritius; and what would be the increase in National Insurance contributions paid by United Kingdom citizens in employment in the United Kingdom if the sum necessary to uprate all retirement pensions in the Commonwealth was financed from the National Insurance Fund. [HL1832]

Baroness Hollis of Heigham

The estimated cost of fully uprating the UK State Retirement pensions of those pensioners currently living in Commonwealth countries, other than those stated, would be about £310 million annually: an estimated increase of 0.1 per cent in 2001–02 if the uprating were to be financed from increased National Insurance contributions.

Notes:

  1. 1. Cost of uprating based on 5 per cent sample front Pensions Strategy Computer System at 30 September 2000.
  2. 2. Costs are rounded to the nearest £10 million.
  3. 3. Impact on National Insurance Contribution was estimated by the Government Actuary's Department.