§ Baroness Jegerasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they propose to increase retirement pensions and other social security benefits to take account of the proposed increase in electricity charges.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health and Social Security (Lord Skelmersdale)The retirement pension up-rating proposed for April 1988 takes account of increases in prices, including changes in fuel costs, between September 1986 and September 1987. The pension up-rating which will take place in April 1989 will incorporate price changes from September 1987 onwards and will therefore take account of any increases in domestic electricity prices announced for April 1988.