§ Mr. JenkinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what the total Government expenditure on pensioner benefits(a) in pounds, (b) in real terms and (c) as a percentage of gross domestic product was in each year since 1992; [172490]
(2) what the predicted total Government expenditure on pensioner benefits (a) in pounds, (b) in real terms and (c) as a percentage of gross domestic product is over the next three years. [172491]
§ Malcolm WicksThe information is in the table.
Expenditure on pensioner benefits 1992–93 to 2006–07 Cash terms (£ million) Real terms (£ million, 2004–05 prices) Percentage of Gross Domestic Product 1992–93 Outturn 35,387 47,810 5.8 1993–94 Outturn 37,811 49,731 5.8 1994–95 Outturn 38,723 50,189 5.6 1995–96 Outturn 39,919 50,276 5.5 1996–97 Outturn 41,829 50,923 5.4 1997–98 Outturn 43,426 51,560 5.3 1998–99 Outturn 45,165 52,122 5.2 1999–2000 Outturn 47,934 54,120 5.2 2000–01 Outturn 50,580 56,377 5.2 2001–02 Outturn 54,493 59,192 5.4
The mean and median income of pensioners since 1996–97 1996–97 1997–98 1998–99 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02 2002–03 Growth 1996–97 to 2002–03 (Percentage) Pensioner units Median net BHC income 156 159 161 169 173 183 189 21 Mean net BHC income 199 202 208 216 225 233 237 19 Pensioner couples Median net BHC income 226 227 231 237 248 253 262 16 Mean net BHC income 287 289 294 301 316 329 327 14 Single pensioners Median net BHC income 125 126 128 135 140 148 153 23 Mean net BHC income 145 147 153 160 167 170 177 22 Pensioner units, pensioner couples and single pensioners have seen significant real terms growth in both mean and median net weekly incomes (before housing costs) between 1996–97 and 2002–03. Annual estimates are based on survey data and are subject to sampling error—strong conclusions should not therefore be drawn about year-on-year changes in pensioner incomes.