Andrew Tyrie (Chichester, Conservative)

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many (a) male pensioners with national insurance contributions of between 30 and 43 years were born before 6 April 1945 and (b) female pensioners with national insurance contributions of between 30 and 39 years were born before 6 April 1950.

Angela Eagle (Minister of State (Pensions and the Ageing Society), Department for Work and Pensions; Wallasey, Labour)

The latest information available indicates that at the end of the financial year 2006-07 there were around 400,000 men and just over 600,000 women between state pension age and age 80 who had accrued between 30 and 43 qualifying years or 30 and 39 qualifying years respectively for basic state pension.

However, individuals with less than 44 or 39 qualifying years can still qualify for a full basic state pension under the current arrangements.

Entitlement to a basic state pension depends on a number of factors including the number of qualifying years accrued, home responsibilities protection and the spouse's contribution record.

Notes:

1. Figures refer to people who are estimated to be resident in the UK in 2006-07.

2. Detailed information is not available for people aged 80 and over due to archiving of records from the National Insurance Recording System.

Source:

Lifetime Labour Market Database 2, 2006-07.