To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the cost each year to the Exchequer of giving those over 80 years of age an additional 25p a week pension; and what is the administrative cost of making these additional payments.

The estimated current cost of giving those over 80 years of age an additional 25p per week pension is over £26 million a year. As the addition is added automatically to the pension on the first payday after the pensioner's 80th birthday there is no additional administrative cost involved in making these payments.