Written question asked by Mike Hancock (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 10 March 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 23 March 2004. It was answered by Paul Goggins (Labour) on Tuesday, 23 March 2004 on behalf of the Home Office.

Home Office

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, what the differences are between pension levels at private and state run jails in England and Wales.

Answer: Mr. Hancock: To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what the differences are between pension levels at private and state run jails in England and Wales. [160805] Paul Goggins: A report commissioned in 2003 by the Prison Service Pay Review Body contained a comparison of pension provision between private sector and state run prisons. Using a method of comparison to employer contribution rates, the difference between pension levels for prison officers at private and state run prisons in England and Wales has been calculated at an average salary benefit value of +9.5 per cent. to staff in state-run prisons. This figure reduces to +2 per cent. at the in-charge governor level.

Secondary information