To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs how many and what percentage of staff in his Department are making additional voluntary contributions to their pensions; and what steps he has taken in the last 12 months to encourage more people to make such contributions. (147527)

126 members of staff in core-DEFRA, Animal Health, Veterinary Medicines Directorate, Pesticides Safety Directorate, Marine and Fisheries Agency and Government Decontamination Service (2.2 per cent. of the total number of staff) currently make additional voluntary pension contributions through deductions from their pay.

Pension scheme members receive an annual benefit statement showing the pension built up to date, and also a projection of pension on retirement if the member continues in service to scheme pension age. The benefit statement provides details of the Civil Service Pensions website where staff can obtain further information, including on options for making additional voluntary contributions to boost their pension.