Retirement Pensions and Supplementary Benefits (Purchasing Power)

HC Deb 31 January 1968 vol 757 c367W

Mr. Bishop

asked the Minister of Social Security what were the percentage increases in real value of pensions and supplementary benefits from October, 1964, to December, 1967; and how the present purchasing power compares with October, 1964.

Mrs. Hart

On the basis of the Index of Retail Prices for December, 1967, the figure for retirement pensions is about 19 per cent. and for Supplementary Benefits about 21 per cent. This represents the following increases in purchasing power at December, 1967, prices:

Retirement pension
Single person	…	…	14s.	2d.
Married couple	…	…	23s.	7d.
Supplementary Benefits
Single householder	…	…	15s.	2d.
Married couple	…	…	24s.	6d.