Old-Age and Retirement Pensions

Oral Answers to Questions — Pensions and National Insurance – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 10 May 1954.

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Photo of Mr Henry Hynd Mr Henry Hynd , Accrington 12:00, 10 May 1954

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance how many old-age pensions are being paid in Accrington; and how many of them are being supplemented by National Assistance.

Photo of Mr Osbert Peake Mr Osbert Peake , Leeds North

I regret that separate figures for Accrington are not available.

Photo of Mr Herbert Williams Mr Herbert Williams , Croydon East

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance the number of old-age and retirement pensions; the annual cost of these pensions; and the estimated annual rate of increase.

Photo of Mr Osbert Peake Mr Osbert Peake , Leeds North

There are at present about 4,300,000 retirement pensioners. The cost of their pensions is now about £350 million a year, and it will increase on average by about 2¾ per cent, annually.

Photo of Mr Herbert Williams Mr Herbert Williams , Croydon East

Does that include old-age pensioners who are a charge on the Treasury Estimate?

Photo of Mr Osbert Peake Mr Osbert Peake , Leeds North

No, Sir. This does not include non-contributory old-age pensioners. The annual cost of the these pensions is about £19 million a year, and that figure is going down steadily.