Written question asked by John Hemming (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 15 December 2011, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 19 December 2011. It was answered by Tony Baldry (Conservative) on Tuesday, 20 December 2011 on behalf of the Church Commissioners.

Departmental Pensions

Question: To ask the hon. Member for Banbury, representing the Church Commissioners, what the level of the Church of England's pension scheme deficit is; and what the capacity of the Church of England is to pay that deficit.

Answer: The Church of England Pensions Board administers three pension schemes on behalf of the Church of England.The Church of England Funded Pensions Scheme (the scheme for clergy of the Church of England) had a deficit of £262 million at the last valuation, as at 31 December 2009. That deficit is being recovered over a 12 year period ending 31 December 2022.Smaller deficits exist on the other schemes, which are being recovered over shorter periods.

Secondary information