§ James PurnellTo ask Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer (I) if he will estimate what the annual cost would be of in-service death benefits extended to unmarried partners, in accordance with the rules for the new Civil Service Pension, for the financial year 2003–04, and each of the five subsequent years at 2003–04, prices for(a) the whole of the public sector, (b) the Teachers' Pension Scheme, (c) the NHS Pension Scheme, (d) the Local Government Pension Scheme, (e) the Firemen's Pension Scheme, (f) the Police Pension Scheme and (g) the Armed Forces Pension Scheme; [78857]
(2) if he will estimate what the costs would be for the future service of current members if in-service death benefits were extended to unmarried partners, in accordance with the rules for the new Civil Service Pension, at 2003–04 prices for (a) the whole of the public sector, (b) the Teachers' Pension Scheme, (c) the NHS Pension Scheme, (d) the Local Government Scheme, (e) the Firemen's Pension Scheme, (f) the Police Pension Scheme and (g) the Armed Forces Pension Scheme. [78858]
§ Ruth KellyThere is no cost to the Exchequer from the introduction on 1 October 2002 of new pension arrangements for the Civil Service. Members participating in those arrangements will meet the full costs of all the benefit improvements, including the introduction of survivor pensions for unmarried partners, through higher employee contributions.
Our policy is that public service pension schemes may introduce unmarried partner pensions only if members want the change and are prepared to pay for it through higher member contributions or a rebalancing of other benefits which is cost neutral overall to employers and the taxpayer. Death lump sum benefits may be provided, however, to unmarried partners in schemes where members are able to nominate the recipient.