§ Mr. Hoyleasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the retirement pension in February 1974 and the increases since that date; and what was the purchasing power of the pension in January 1974 compared to July 1978.
§ Mr. OrmeThe standard rate of retirement pension for a single person in January and February 1974 was £7.75, and it has since been increased as follows:
£ July>1974 10.00 April 1975 11.60 November 1975 13.30 November 1976 15.30 November 1977 17.50 On the basis of the movement in the General Index of Retail Prices, a pension of £7.75 in January 1974 would, in June 1978 (the latest date for which RPI figures are available) be worth £15.28, as against the current rate of £17.50.