§ Mr. Churchillasked the Minister for the Civil Service what is the cost to public funds of uprating index-linked pensions for the public service in respect of the years 1979–80 and 1980–81.
§ Mr. ChannonThe first-year cost of the 16 per cent. increase on 12 November 1979 was £288 million. The cost of the 16.5 per cent. increase due to take effect on 24 November 1980 is £367 million. The average increase awarded to public service pensioners was around £4 a week in 1979 and will be about £5 a week in 1980.