HC Deb 01 May 1967 vol 746 cc1-3W
6. Mr. Rose

asked the Minister of Social Security how many persons not formerly in receipt of National Assistance

INCREASES IN SOCIAL SECURITY BENEFITS SINCE OCTOBER, 1964
Increase Operative date of main increase Estimated cost of increase in 1967–68 (£ million) Percentage increase in present rates required to restore their real value immediately after increase
Increase of National Insurance benefits March, 1965 290 7.9
Increase of Industrial Injuries benefits March, 1965 15
Increase of war pensions rates March, 1965 15
Increase of National Assistance March, 1965 — —
Extension of allowances to certain partially disabled men entitled to workmen's compensation but receiving no supplementary allowances, and improvement of existing allowances March, 1966 1 See note
Introduction of earnings-related supplement to sickness benefit, unemployment benefit and widow's allowance October, 1966 66 See note
Extension of widow's allowance, and certain allowances for war widows, to 26 weeks October, 1966 2¼ Not applicable
Introduction of supplementary benefits replacing National Assistance November, 1966 80 0.4

16. Mr. Hastings

asked the Minister of Social Security if she will now consider adjustments to the present allowances for pensioners and widows in the light of the rise in the cost of living during the last year.

Miss Herbison

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Croydon, South (Mr. Winnick) on 6th February.—[Vol. 740, c. 1081–2.]

are now in receipt of supplementary benefits under the new scheme.

Mr. Pentland

Since the new scheme started the number of beneficiaries has increased by over half a million, of whom over 400,000 are receiving supplementary pensions. Most of these 400,000 had not formerly received National Assistance; no such estimate can be made for supplementary allowance recipients.

12. Mr. William Hamilton

asked the Minister of Social Security if she will provide a table in the OFFICIAL REPORT showing the number of social benefits increased since October, 1964, the total annual cost of each increase, and the estimated loss in real value of each, as a result of inflationary processes.

Miss Herbison

Yes.

Mr. Judd

asked the Minister of Social Security what her plans are for the introduction of wage related pensions in old age; whether she will introduce a system to ensure automatic cost of living increases in all pensions and other social security benefits; and what arrangements she will introduce to ensure that all those receiving such benefits will also automatically share in any generally improved standard of living.

Miss Herbison

I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Woolwich, West (Mr. Hamling) on 28th November.—[Vol. 737, c. 5.]