HC Deb 03 July 1984 vol 63 cc141-5W
Mr. Wilson

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services to what extent over the past three years social security, unemployment benefit, state pensions and other state benefits have kept up with inflation; and if he will publish figures to show, in the case of each benefit, how it has risen in comparison with inflation.

Dr. Boyson

[pursuant to his reply, 26 June 1984, c. 416]: Most benefits have risen by more than the rate of

Table 1 (Comparison with General Index of Retail Prices)
Benefit Rate at November 1980 Rate required to lore 1980 value at November 1983 prices Actual November 1983 rate
Retirement pension:
Category A, Category B (widow) 27.15 33.88 34.05
Category B (wife), adult dependant 16.30 20.34 20.45
Category C and D Higher rate 16.30 20.34 20.45
Lower rate, adult dependant 9.80 12.23 12.25
Age addition (over 80) 0.25 0.31 0.25
Widow's benefits:
Widow's allowance 38.00 47.41 47.65
Widowed mother's allowance 27.15 33.88 34.05
Widow's pension
Unemployment benefit:
Standard personal 20.65 25.77 *27.05
Adult dependant 12.75 15.91 *16.70
Sickness benefit:
Standard personal 20.65 25.77 25.97
Adult dependant 12.75 15.91 16.00
Maternity allowance:
Standard personal 20.65 25.77 25.95
Adult dependant 12.75 15.91 16.00
Invalidity benefit:
Invalidity pension 26.00 32.44 32.60
Adult dependant 15.60 19.46 19.55
Invalidity allowance:
Higher rate 5.45 6.79 7.15
Middle rate 3.45 4.30 4.60
Lower rate 1.75 2.18 2.30
Non-contributory invalidity pension:
Personal rate 16.30 20.34 20.45
Adult dependant 9.80 12.23 12.25
Mobility allowance 14.50 18.09 19.00

inflation between November 1980 and November 1983. The main exceptions are Christmas bonus, death grant and maternity grant. Table 1 shows the rates of the main social security benefits at November 1983 compared with the rates which would have applied had the benefits been increased exactly in line with the increase in the general index of retail prices since November 1980. Table 2 shows similar information in relation to the main rates of supplementary benefit but measured against the retail prices index (less housing).

Benefit Rate at November 1980 Rate required to restore 1980 value at November 1983 prices Actual November 1983 rate
Attendance allowance:
Higher rate 21.65 27.01 27.20
Lower rate 14.45 18.03 18.15
Invalid care allowance:
Personal rate 16.30 20.34 20.45
Adult dependant 9.80 12.23 12.25
Child benefit 4.75 5.93 6.50
One parent benefit 3.00 3.74 4.05
Child dependency additions 7.50 9.36 †17.60
(to retirement pension, widow's benefit, invalidity benefit, non-contributory invalidity pension, invalid care allowance)
Guardian's allowance
Child's special allowance
Child dependency additions
(to unemployment benefit, sickness benefit, maternity allowance) 1.25 1.56 t0.15
Family income supplement
Prescribed amount for family with one child (income below which FIS is payable) 67.00 83.60 85.50
Increase in prescribed amount for each additional child 7.00 8.73 9.50
Maximum weekly amount for a one-child family 17.00 21.21 22.00
Increase in maximum amount for each additional child 1.50 1.88 2.00
Industrial disablement benefit:
Disablement pension:
Aged over 18 or with dependant (100 per cent.) 44.30 55.28 55.60
Aged under 18 without dependant (100 per cent.) 27.15 33.88 34.05
Disablement gratuity (maximum) 2,950.00 3,681.00 3,690.00
Industrial death benefit:
Initial rate 38.00 47.41 47.65
Higher permanent rate 27.70 34.55 34.60
Lower permanent rate 8.15 10.18 10.22
Maternity grant 25.00 31.19 25.00
Death grant 30.00 37.43 30.00
Christmas bonus 10.00 12.48 10.00
War pensions
Disablement pension for private at 100 per cent. rate 44.30 55.28 55.60
Widow's pension—private's widow:
Standard rate 35.30 44.05 44.25
Childless widow under 40 8.15 10.18 10.22
*Includes restitution of the 5 per cent. abatement from 1980.
†Increases in the rate of child benefit are taken into account in determining the rates of the additions/allowances.

Table 2Supplementary Benefit—Main Rates
(Comparison with Index of Retail Prices (less housing))
Rate at November 1980 Rate required to restore 1980 value at November 1983 prices Actual November 1983 rate
Supplementary benefits
Ordinary rate:
Couple 34.60 42.68 43.50
Single householder 21.30 26.27 26.80
Non-householder age 18 and over 17.05 21.03 21.45
Age 16–17 13.10 16.16 16.50
Long-term rate:
Couple 43.45 53.59 54.55
Single householder 27.15 33.48 34.10
Non-householder age 18 and over 21.70 26.76 27.25
Age 16.17 16.65 20.53 20.90

Rate at November 1980 Rate required to restore 1980 value at November 1983 prices Actual November 1983 rate
Other person aged:
11–15 10.90 13.44 13.70
Under 11 7.30 8.99 9.15

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