HC Deb 27 October 1994 vol 248 c795W
Mr. David Evans

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has made of the effect on pensioner spending power on the occasion when Great Britain last had inflation over 10 per cent.

Mr. Arbuthnot

The Government fully recognise the importance of maintaining low inflation in protecting pensioners' spending power.

Since October 1990, when inflation was last above 10 per cent., it is estimated1 that pensioners'2 average weekly incomes have risen by more than 12 per cent. in real terms.

Notes:

  1. 1. Source: Family Expenditure Surveys.
  2. 2. Measurement based on pensioner units which include single pensioners and couples where the husband is over state pension age.