SOCIAL SECURITY (BENEFITS AND CONTRIBUTIONS) (Hansard, 31 March 1971)

§ The Secretary of State for Social Services (Sir Keith Joseph)

With permission Mr. Speaker, I should like to make a statement about the uprating of social security benefits. My right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer has already announced the main increases in benefit and contribution rates to take effect in the week beginning 20th September. Associated benefits will go up in proportion to the main increases. Shortly after the Easter Adjournment I shall be presenting a White Paper to the House with a Bill and the Government Actuary's Report and laying Instruments for the war pensions and supplementary benefits improvements.

I am circulating fuller details of the new rates of benefits and contributions in the OFFICIAL REPORT. It may, however, be convenient to state now that for the £18 a week earner there will be no increase in contributions; for the £20 a week earner the increase will be 3p a week; the £30 a week earner will pay an extra 15p a week; and a person earning £42 a week or more will pay an extra 65p a week.

There are certain new selective improvements which I now wish to explain to the House. I am making copies of my Statement available in the Vote Office.