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7 Jul 2005 : Column 626W—continued

Pensions

Mr. Frank Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimate has been made of the effect on projected expenditure for the basic state pay as you go pension if all those currently contracted out from the state scheme were to return for the next (a) 10, (b) 20, (c) 30, (d) 40 and (e) 50 years. [9947]

Mr. Timms [holding answer 5 July 2005]: While there would be an impact on future state pension expenditure if those currently contracted out were to contract back
 
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in, it would be on the state second pension and not the basic state pension. The effect of such a move is shown in the table.
Annual increase in state second pension expenditure that would arise if everyone contracted back into the state scheme

Annual increase to S2P
(£ million)
2015–16400
2025–262,700
2035–369,400
2045–4615,700
2055–5621,700




Notes:
1. The estimates show the effect on state second pension expenditure in the selected years if contracting-out of the state second pension were abolished from April 2006.
2. Estimates are for Great Britain only, not UK, and are consistent with the December 2004 update of the "Government Actuary's Quinquennial Review of the National Insurance Fund".
3. Figures are expressed in 2005–06 price terms and are rounded to the nearest £100 million.
4. Figures given are for specific years, rather than the range of years, and do not reflect the total increase for each year in between.
Source:
Government Actuary's Department.




Social Security Office (Aberystwyth)

Mark Williams: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what assessment he has made of the likely effect of the proposed closure of the social security office in Aberystwyth upon delivery of his Department's services; and if he will make a statement; [10338]

(2) what timetable has been set for the proposed closure of the social security office in Aberystwyth. [10342]

Margaret Hodge: The administration of Jobcentre Plus is a matter for the acting chief executive of Jobcentre Plus, Lesley Strathie. She will write to the hon. Member.
 
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Letter from Lesley Strathie to Mr. Mark Williams, dated 7 July 2005:

Training and Enterprise Council Pension Schemes

Mr. Laws: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) whether approaches have been made to the (a) Pensions Protection Fund and (b) Financial Assistance Scheme in respect of former Training and Enterprise Council pension schemes; [8749]

(2) whether applications have been made to the (a) Pensions Protection Fund and (b) Financial Assistance Scheme in respect of any former Training and Enterprise Council pension schemes. [9323]

Mr. Timms: No.