§ Baroness Jegerasked Her Majesty's Government:
Why the age addition of 25 pence which was awarded to the over-eighties in 1971 remains at 25 pence; and what is now the comparative purchasing power of that 25 pence. [HL2962]
90WA
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Social Security (Baroness Hollis of Heigham)Since it was introduced, no government have increased age addition on the basic state pension that is paid to those aged 80 or over.
Our priority is to help the poorest pensioners and to help all pensioner households. That is why we have introduced a comprehensive strategy to tackle pensioner poverty. We have introduced the minimum income guarantee, winter fuel payments, reduced VAT on fuel, restored free eye test, allocated extra money to improve cataract services and cardiac care, and reduced income tax. We have also introduced the home energy efficiency scheme and will be providing free TV licences for the over 75s, concessionary bus fares, pensioner credit and doubling the capital limits in minimum income guarantee.
We are spending an extra £6.5 billion on pensioner incomes in this Parliament.
The comparative purchasing power of £0.25p in May 1971 is £0.029p in May 2000.
Notes:
(1) The Retail Prices Index (all items) has been used, as published by the Office for National Statistics.
(2) Figures are unrounded.