HC Deb 09 May 1966 vol 728 c17W
70. Mr. Bessell

asked the Minister of Pensions and National Insurance whether

— National insurance benefits or earlier equivalent expressed as a percentage of average earnings in Column (1)
Average weekly earnings of adult men in industries covered by Ministry of Labour half-yearly enquiries National insurance benefits or earlier equivalent Sickness benefit or Sickness benefit
Retirement pension* first six months after six months Unemployment benefit Retirement pension first six months after six months Unemployment benefit
(1) (2) (3) (4) (5) (6) (7) (8) (9)
s. d. s. s. s. d. s. per cent. per cent. per cent. per cent.
Single Adult Men
October, 1938 … 69 0 10 15† 7 6† 17† 14 22 11 25
July, 1945 … 121 4 10 18† 10 6† 24† 8 15 9 20
October, 1950 … 150 5 26 26 26 0 26 17 17 17 17
October, 1955 … 222 11 40 40 40 0 40 18 18 18 18
October, 1960 … 290 8 50 50 50 0 50 17 17 17 17
October, 1965‡ … 391 9 80 80 80 0 80 20 20 20 20
Married Couples
October, 1938 … 69 0 20 15 7 6 27 29 22 11 39
July, 1945 … 121 4 20 18 10 6 40 16 15 9 33
October, 1950 … 150 5 42 42 42 0 42 28 28 28 28
October, 1955 … 222 11 65 65 65 0 65 29 29 29 29
October, 1960 … 290 8 80 80 80 0 80 28 28 28 28
October, 1965‡ … 391 9 130 130 130 0 130 33 33 33 33
* The rates quoted for 1938 and 1945 are for contributory old age pension. In 1938 the pension was not payable for women before age 65.
† Before 1948 single women received lower rates of sickness and unemployment benefits than single men i.e.:
October, 1938 Sickness Benefit 12s. (6s. after six months); Unemployment Benefit 15s.
July, 1945 Sickness Benefit 15s. (9s. after six months); Unemployment Benefit 22s.
‡ October, 1965 is the latest date for which average earnings have been published.