HC Deb 02 June 1967 vol 747 cc85-6W
Mr. Biffen

asked the Minister of Social Security what has been the percentage rise in the retail price index since the basic National Insurance retirement pension was last increased; and what she estimates to be the respective annual cost of universally increasing the basic pension or of increasing benefits paid by the Supplementary Benefits Commission to cover this rise.

Mr. Pentland

8.7 per cent. up to April, 1967, which is the latest month for which figures are available. The cost of increasing retirement pensions to cover this rise would be £108 million in a full year. Supplementary benefits were introduced in November, 1966; the cost of increasing them to cover the subsequent part of the rise would be £14 million in a full year.

Mr. Biffen

asked the Minister of Social Security what has been the percentage rise in the average level of industrial weekly earnings since the basic National Insurance retirement pension was last increased; and what she estimates to be the respective annual cost of universally increasing the pension or of increasing benefits paid by the Supplementary Commission to cover this rise.

Mr. Pentland

7.4 per cent. up to October, 1966, which is the latest date to which figures are available. The cost of increasing retirement pensions to cover this rise would be £92 million in a full year. Supplementary benefits were not introduced until November, 1966.