HC Deb 16 November 1939 vol 353 c865W
Sir G. Fox

asked the Financial Secretary to the Treasury what would be the extra cost of increasing the old age pension to single pensioners from 10s. to 12s. 6d. per week?

Captain Crookshank

It is estimated very broadly that the cost of increasing by 2s. 6d. a week the rate of pension payable to single and widowed old age pensioners and to widow pensioners over the age of 65 (with no increase) of the pension of married couples or widows under 65) would be nearly £11,000,000 a year at the present time. This would rise to about £13,000,000 in 10 years' time and would steadily increase thereafter.