§ Mr. WigleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish a table showing, for the most
Improvements in living standards percentage (individuals in households)1979 to 1985 Great Britain 1979 to 1981 1981 to 1983 1983 to 1985 1979 to 1985 Non-pensioner couples with children -0.2 2.6 6.1 8.6 Non-pensioner couples without children 1.7 -1.5 5.7 5.9 Non-pensioner single people 4.8 -8.7 10.2 5.5 Non-pensioner single people with children 5.9 2.8 0.7 9.7 Single pensioners 7.3 6.2 1.1 15.2 Pensioner couples 5.8 5.7 2.9 15.1 All individuals 2.2 0.2 6.2 8.8 Notes:
1. Based on the methods and assumptions of "Households Below Average Income: 1981–85" copies of which are in the Library.
2. Improvements in living standards are measured by percentage changes in the real average household income of individuals (before housing costs). For further details see Cm. 523 "The Measurement of Living Standards For Households Below Average Income", November 1988.