To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what (a) percentage and (b) number of newly retired pensioners receive their pension by order book, broken down by nation and region. [105614]
The percentage and number of newly retired pensioners receiving their pension by order book as at 25 January 2003, and split between nation and region is shown in the following table.The figures reflect those pensioners who have retired in the last 12 months and are aged 60 (women) and 65 (men). There are also some pensioners who have also recently retired who are older than the minimum retirement age, but have deferred their retirement. We are unable to identify these people.
| Pensioners aged 60/65 | ||
| Nation/Region | Paid by OB | Percentage |
| North East | 8,500 | 44.7 |
| North West | 18,927 | 36.1 |
| Yorkshire and Humberside | 13,659 | 35.5 |
| East Midlands | 10,697 | 31.9 |
| West Midlands | 14,327 | 33.8 |
| East of England | 10,395 | 23.5 |
| London | 9,081 | 23.4 |
| South East | 12,834 | 20.4 |
| South West | 11,531 | 27.2 |
| England | 109,951 | 29.38 |
| Wales | 10,768 | 45.2 |
| Scotland | 14,997 | 37.6 |
| GB Total | 135,716 | 31.0 |
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what (a) percentage and (b) number of pensioners receive their state pension by order book, broken down by (i) region and (ii) constituency. [105616]
The percentage and number of pensioners receiving their pension by order book as at 25 January 2003, and split between region and constituency has been placed in the Library.