§ Mrs Knightasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will estimate the increase in real terms (a) in expenditure on hell) with heating costs and (b) in average heating prices between 1978–79 and 1982–83.
§ Mr. NewtonSpecial help with heating bills for consumers on low incomes is provided through supplementary benefit heating additions, on whch it is estimated that the Government will spend £325 million in 1982–83. The real value of expenditure on supplementary benefit heating additions in 1978–79 at 1982–83 prices—calculated on the basis of the movement of the retail price index from September—the mid-point of the financial year—to September—is around £146 million. The percentage increase in real terms in Government expenditure is therefore 123 per cent. The percentage increase in fuel prices, as measured by movements in the fuel component in the retail price index, between September 1978 and September 1982 was 93 per cent.