HC Deb 26 November 2001 vol 375 c710W
Mr. Bercow

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many persons had their state pensions cut as a result of a hospital stay of more than(a) six weeks and (b) 52 weeks in each year since May 1997. [14384]

Mr. McCartney

The information requested is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the table.

The number of people as of 31 March in each individual year with their pension downrated was:

Number downrated
6–52 weeks Over 52 weeks Total
March 1998 19,000 13,000 32,000
March 1999 20,000 12,000 32,000
March 2000 22,000 10,000 32,000
March 2001 23,000 10,000 33,000

Notes:

1. Figures rounded to nearest 1,000

2. Information is not available prior to 1997–98

3. Administrative data only records information at an individual point in time. It is therefore not possible to give the total number of people that have their pension downrated during the course of a year, only the total number at a particular point in time.