HC Deb 02 July 1997 vol 297 c203W
Mr. Quentin Davies

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the annual cost to public funds, net of savings in other social security expenditure, of increasing the basic state retirement pension by £5 per week for a single person, and by £8 for a married couple. [3531]

Mr. Denham

Security in retirement will be one of our key priorities. We will retain the Basic State Pension as the foundation of pension provision, increasing it at least in line with prices. The estimated net cost of increasing the standard rate of Basic State Pension by £5 for a single person and £8 for a married couple in 1997–98 is £.2.1 billion.

Source: Gross costs provided by Government Actuary's Department based on April 1997 estimates. Net costs have been calculated by the Department of Social Security Analytical Services Division.

Notes:

  1. 1. Figure is rounded to the nearest £100 million.
  2. 2. Calculation assumes that increases apply to Retirement Pension and all linked benefits (i.e.: Widows Benefits, Incapacity Benefit, Non-Contributory Retirement Pension and Industrial Injuries Death Benefits and Adult Dependency Increases paid with these benefits).