HC Deb 09 February 1982 vol 17 cc849-50
11. Mr. Bowden

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he last met representatives of the National Federation of Old Age Pensioner Associations to discuss levels of benefit for pensioners.

Mr. Fowler

I have arranged to meet representatives of the federation on 15 February, when I expect to discuss, among other things, the level of benefits for pensioners.

Mr. Bowden

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the federation is greatly concerned because anyone with savings in excess of£300 is ineligible for the additional heating supplements available to those on supplementary benefit? Will he review that sum, particularly as many have put that£300 aside to pay for their funerals?

Mr. Fowler

I entirely understand my hon. Friend's point. We are considering the£300 limit for single payments. However, he will understand that we are now spending more than£250 million per annum to help with fuel benefits. I confirm that we shall reconsider that point.

Mr. Rooker

Before the Secretary of State meets those representatives, will he prepare a paper showing how pensioners' benefits have been eroded by the Government due to the massive increase in taxation on the elderly?

Mr. Fowler

I doubt whether I shall prepare such a paper, but I might point out to the pensioners that inflation rose by 110 per cent. Under the Labour Government.

Mr. Dickens

Does my right hon. Friend accept that many pensioners do not explore the possibility of benefits because they are too proud to seek to qualify by telling someone all their business? Does my right hon. Friend realise that many pensioners believe that they are too rich to qualify for benefits and too poor to use their limited savings? Does he have any plans to scale down benefits and to pay pensioners a decent pension?

Mr. Fowler

My hon. Friend has raised an important point, which I shall consider. We certainly want to make progress in the amount of take-up and information that is provided.

Mr. Cryer

Is the Secretary of State seriously suggesting that the Government cannot possibly increase the benefits to pensioners—who are often in desperate circumstances—when that self-same Government are spending£1 billion on re-motoring Polaris? Indeed, they undertook such action without any authority from the House. The Government who say that they cannot help pensioners propose to spend between£5 billion and£10 billion on Trident missiles. Are those the Government's priorities?

Mr. Fowler

The fatal flaw in the hon. Gentleman s argument is that he implies that we are cutting, not increasing, benefits. However, we have increased pensions by 52 per cent. in line with inflation. That is the pledge that we gave at the election and that is the pledge that we stand by.