§ 23. Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will make a statement about the uprating of benefits in November.
§ Mr. Rossi:Social security benefits are to be increased in the week beginning 23 November in accordance with the order and regulations which were approved by the House on 31 July.
§ 32. Mr. Ennalsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he is still satisfied with his estimate that the year-on-year inflation rate at the time of the November benefit uprating will be 10 per cent.
§ Mr. Fowler:It is now clear that the year-on-year increase in prices will be higher in November than was envisaged earlier this year. What is uncertain is by how much; we will not know this until December.