§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what inflation assumption and what financial provision was made in the Comprehensive Spending Review for 2000–01 for the uprating of the basic state pension. [97480]
§ Mr. DarlingFinancial provision for the costs of uprating is set by reference to the most recent inflation assumption. Inflation assumptions for 2000–01 underpinning forecasts for expenditure for the Comprehensive Spending Review are set out at page 108 table B1 of the Financial Statement and Budget Report 1998 (HC620). These forecasts were updated in November 1998 and for the Budget in March 1999. The inflation assumptions underlying the Department's latest expenditure forecasts are set out on page 89 of the Social Security Departmental Report (Cm 4214).