§ 5. Mr. Roger EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of pensioners had incomes in the lowest fifth of the national income distribution in (a) 1979 and (b) the last year for which figures are available.
§ 17. Mr. LeggTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of pensioners had incomes in the lowest fifth of the national income distribution in 1979 and in the last year for which figures are available.
§ Mr. LilleyIn 1979, it was estimated that half of all pensioners had incomes in the lowest fifth of the national income distribution. By 1990–91, the proportion had fallen to less than a third.
§ Mr. EvansDo not those welcome statistics show a combination of the effects of low inflation in the 1980s, the spread of occupational pension schemes and the Government's direct action in favour of pensioners in keeping up benefit levels?
§ Mr. LilleyMy hon. Friend is absolutely right. In 1979, only 77 per cent. of pensioners had additional income on top of state benefits but, in the most recent year for which figures are available, the proportion had risen to 85 per cent.
§ Mr. Frank FieldWill the Secretary of State now tell the House which poor people occupy the position at the bottom of the income scale once occupied by pensioners?
§ Mr. LilleyBy and large, of course, the well-being of the population as a whole has increased. However, it is true that pensioners have done disproportionately well. Clearly, there has been a rise in the number of unemployed people, who therefore form a larger proportion of those on low income.