HC Deb 08 July 1987 vol 119 cc168-9W
Mr. Winnick

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what information he has for each European Economic Community country as to the percentage of average wages paid in state pensions; and what is the figure for the United Kingdom.

Mr. Scott

Most European Community countries pay pensions linked to an individual's own contributions and earnings between set limits. Pension levels may therefore vary widely from pensioner to pensioner, and no comparison with national average wages is feasible. Differences in social security schemes and in the availability of other forms of help for pensioners also mean that pension levels alone are an inadequate indicator of pensioner living standards in different countries. In the United Kingdom the basic pensions for a single person and a married couple at April 1987 were respectively worth 29.8 per cent. and 45.3 per cent. of net average male manual earnings (1). Receipt of graduated pension and state earnings-related pension would increase that percentage. In terms of total net income, pensioners' incomes in 1985 (latest available date) were 60 per cent. of the total average net income of those in full-time work.(1) provisional figures

Mr. Winnick

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what information he has as to the amount paid in sterling equivalent in state pension to the retired in the other European Economic Community countries; and what is the amount currently paid out in the United Kingdom.

Mr. Scott

I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Derby, South (Mrs. Beckett) on 7 July.

Mr. Winnick

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what information he has as to the percentage increase which has taken place in other European Economic Community countries in the last eight years in the married and single person's state retirement pensions.

Mr. Scott

Most European Community countries adjust state retirement pensions in line with the movement in prices. The percentage increase in pension rates paid therefore depends largely on the rate of inflation in each country. For more detailed information on the uprating method and timetable used in individual countries, I refer the hon. Member to section IV of the Department's publication, "Tables of Social Benefit Systems in the European Communities (Position at 1 January 1986), a copy of which is in the Library.