§ Mr. Marksasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what will be the effect on the income of single householders and of married couples in receipt of supplementary pension of the proposed increase in retirement pension.
§ Mr. PentlandThe scale rates of supplementary benefit, last increased in October, 1968, will be raised again in the autumn at the same time as the increases in retirement pension, if proposals to be laid before Parliament in due course are accepted. The increases in retirement pensions (and other benefits) will have to be taken into account in the ordinary way in deciding how much supplementary benefit a person needs to bring his total income up to the guaranteed levels. This will depend on the individual circumstances but generally the person's total income will be increased by not less than the amount of the supplementary benefit increase appropriate in his case.
§ Mr. Marksasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what changes have taken place since October, 1964, in the guaranteed level of supplementary pensions and of retirement pensions for a single householder and a married couple; and what were the dates of the changes.
§ Mr. PentlandThe changes that have taken place since October, 1964 in the scale rates of national assistance and 145W supplementary benefit for single householders and married couples over pension age, which together with provision for rent make up the guaranteed level of
May, 1963 (current at October, 1964) March, 1965 (increased rates) November, 1966 (Supplementary Benefits introduced) October, 1967 (increased rates) October, 1968 (increased rates S.B. only) £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. £ s. d. Supplementary pension Rate for married couples … … 5 4 6* 6 5 6* 7 2 0 7 10 0 7 19 0 Rate for single householders … 3 3 6* 3 16 0* 4 10 0 4 15 0 5 1 0 Retirement pension Standard rate for married couples … 5 9 0 6 10 0 — 7 6 0 — Standard rate for single persons … 3 7 6 4 0 0 — 4 10 0 — * Rates applicable under national assistance. Note: The figures for supplementary pension from November, 1966 onwards include the long-term addition introduced at the start of the Supplementary Benefits scheme for old people (and certain other long-term claimants). The addition was increased from 9s. to 10s. a week in October, 1968 and is intended to cover special expenses up to that amount without the need for detailed enquiries.