§ Mr. Hordernasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what would be the cost of increasing the single and married pension (a) to the same real level as in October 1979 after the uprating in October 1983, and (b) what would be the cost of increasing the 1982 payment by 5 per cent., 6 per cent. and 7.5 per cent., respectively, in October 1983.
§ Mr. RossiBenefits are uprated in November each year. On this basis the information requested is as follows:
- (a) If prices rise by 5 per cent. between the fourth quarters of 1982 and 1983 in accordance with the Government's forecast under the Industry Act, the cost would be about £85 million in 1983–84 and £240 million in a full year for retirement pension only, and about £110 million and £300 million respectively if both retirement pension and supplementary pension were increased by the same percentage.
- (b) Retirement pension only
£ million Retirement pension and supplementary pension 1983–84 Full year 1983–84 Full year 5 per cent. 210 570 260 710 6 per cent. 250 680 310 850 7.5 per cent. 310 860 390 1,070