Written question asked by Austin Mitchell (Labour) on Friday, 20 February 2015, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 24 February 2015. It was answered by David Gauke (Conservative) on Tuesday, 10 March 2015 on behalf of the Treasury.

State Retirement Pensions

Question: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate he has made of the cost to the public purse of raising the basic state pension by (a) 10, (b) 15 and (c) 20 per cent.

Answer

Forecasts of expenditure on the basic State Pension are published at:

In 2015/16 this is forecast to be approximately £68.45 billion in cash terms.

This can be used as the basis for calculating simple percentage increases.

Secondary information