Written question asked by Winston Churchill (Conservative), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 18 November 1996. It was answered by Oliver Heald (Conservative) on Monday, 18 November 1996 on behalf of the Department of Social Security.

Dept of Social Security

Question: What is the average cost per head to public funds in respect of social security payments over and above the standard retirement or widow's pension of (a) retirement pensioners generally and (b) retirement pensioners in the last two years of their lives.

Answer: Mr. Churchill: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the average cost per head to public funds in respect of social security payments over and above the standard retirement or widow's pension of (a) retirement pensioners generally and (b) retirement pensioners in the last two years of their lives. [4379] Mr. Heald: The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is as follows: The cost of social security on the elderly per elderly person per week is £14. Notes: Figure rounded to the nearest £1. Sources: 1. Departmental Report March 1996--the figures used are for benefit expenditure on Elderly people i.e. those aged 60 or over excluding retirement pension--basic element and earning related component. 2. Population estimates unit, Office of National Statistics.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 4379; 285 c454W
Session: 1996-97
Subjects: Pensioners Payments Public expenditure Social security benefits State retirement pensions
Contains statistics: Yes