Written question asked by Barbara Follett (Labour) on Friday, 30 November 2001, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 3 December 2001. It was answered by Andrew Smith (Labour) on Monday, 3 December 2001 on behalf of the Treasury.

Treasury

Question: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what plans he has to increase public service pensions from April 2002. - Including figures and ref to 28 November 2001 375 c874-94W.

Answer: Barbara Follett: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to increase public service pensions from April 2002. [20816] Mr. Andrew Smith: Legislation governing public service pensions requires public service pensions to be increased annually by the same percentage as State earnings related pensions (additional pensions). My right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions announced on 28 November 2001, Official Report, column 894W that benefits such as additional pensions will be increased by 1.7 per cent., in line with the annual increase in the Retail Prices Index up to September 2001. Public service pensions will therefore be increased by 1.7 per cent. from 8 April 2002, except those which have been in payment for less than a year, which will receive a pro-rata increase.

Secondary information