§ Mr. Maddenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether she will bring forward proposals for automatic increases in benefits to take account
Percentage Increase since October 1973 in Retirement pension Retail Prices Index single person Married couple Fuel element Whole Index November 1975 … … … … 72 70 68 49 December 1975 … … … … 72 70 73½ 51 I regret that the figure of a 68 per cent. increase for the fuel element was erroneously apportioned to December rather than November 1975 in my previous answer.
I recognise, of course, that these figures state averages while many households on benefit have been subject to larger than average increases in fuel bills.
The Government will of course keep the developing situation under review.