Written question asked by Baroness McIntosh of Pickering (Conservative) on Wednesday, 25 January 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 30 January 2006. It was answered by Liam Byrne (Labour) on Wednesday, 8 February 2006 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Pension Liability

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what the level of pension liability is for health sector workers.

Answer: The Government Actuary's Department has valued the total liabilities of the NHS Pension Scheme as at 31 March 2005 to be £127.9 billion. The NHS Pension Scheme covers staff directly employed in the national health service; staff employed in general practices; and, under specific direction from the Secretary of State for Health, staff employed in other organisations including health charities, universities, and other government departments who are engaged in healthcare related activities.

Secondary information