HC Deb 02 April 2003 vol 402 c715W
James Purnell

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer (1) if he will estimate the annual cost of in-service death benefits if they were extended to unmarried partners, in accordance with the definitions for the new Civil Service Pension Scheme, but with those costs borne by the Exchequer rather than by the members of the scheme, for(a) the financial year 2003–04 and (b) each of the 10 subsequent years at 2003–04 prices for (i) the whole of the public sector, (ii) the Teachers' Pensions Scheme, (iii) the NHS Pension Scheme, (iv) the Local Government Pension Scheme, (v) the Firemen's Pension Scheme, (vi) the Police Pension Scheme and (vii) the Armed Forces Pension Scheme; [105361]

(2) what estimate he has made of the costs arising from the future service of current members if in-service death benefits were extended to unmarried partners, in accordance with the definitions for the new Civil Service Pension but with those costs borne by the Exchequer rather than by the members of the scheme, at 2003–04 prices for (a) the whole of the public sector, (b) the Teachers' Pensions 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. [105360]

Mr. Boateng

The costs to public service pension schemes of making changes to benefits for future service are normally assessed by estimating the percentage points of pay which would need to be added to contribution rates on an on-going basis from the date of the change to cover the long run costs which the change would impose on the scheme. The Government's policy

Scheme Additional contribution for future service (percentage pay) Unmarried partners Cash equivalent of additional contribution (2003–04 prices)(£ million) Capitalised cost for past service of current active members (£ million) Lifetime survivor pensions— additional contribution for future service (percentage pay) Lifetime survivor pensions— cash equivalent of additional contribution(2003–04 prices) (£ million) Lifetime survivor pensions— capitalised cost for past service of current active members (£ million)
Teachers 0.3 50 500 0.1 20 200
NHS 0.3 50 500 0.2 40 400
Local government 0.3 70 700 1— 1— 1—
Fire Service 0.5 5 50 0.2 2 20
Police 0.5 20 200 0.2 10 100
Armed forces 0.4 15 160 0.2 8 80
1 Lifetime spouses' pensions were introduced in the Local Government Pension Scheme with effect from 1998.