§ Mr. A. Lewisasked the Minister of Labour whether he will publish in HANSARD a table of figures giving details of how much in the £ sterling food prices, rents, rates, National Insurance contributions, and fuel prices have increased for each year since October, 1951.
§ Mr. GodberFor every £1 spent in October, 1951, the increases in food prices, rent and rates, the employee's share in the National Insurance Stamp and fuel and light prices between October, 1951, and the average for each of the years 1952 to 1963 are given in the table below. The figures relating to National Insurance contributions take no account of changes in benefits in the period. Standard rates have increased in the range from 125 to 163 per cent., depending on the benefit.
Year Food Rent and Rates Employee's share of the National Insurance Stamp (men)* Fuel and Light s. d. s. d. s. d. s. d. 1952 … 2 1 5 8 1 10 1953 … 3 4 1 6 2 7 3 0 1954 … 3 11 2 4 2 7 4 0 1955 … 5 9 3 0 4 11 5 5 1956 6 11 4 3 6 7 7 11 1957 … 7 7 6 2 7 6 9 9 1958 … 8 2 9 8 17 5 11 3 1959 … 8 5 11 6 19 0 11 6 1960 … 8 3 12 7 19 0 12 4 1961 … 8 8 14 0 20 2† 14 4 1962 … 9 9 16 1 21 8† 16 5 1963 … 10 6 18 1 24 2† 18 1 * Including the National Health Service contribution paid as part of the stamp. † Based on the contributions of persons not contracted out, but excluding any graduated contribution.