HC Deb 05 February 1971 vol 810 c476W
Mr. Sillars

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the estimated cost of raising pensions to £8 for a single person and £14 for a married couple.

Mr. Dean

About £1,175 million a year for retirement pensions without allowing for accompanying changes in other benefits.

Mr. Lomas

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the purchasing power of the retirement pension taking October, 1964, as 100, in March, 1965, March, 1966, March, 1967, March, 1968, March, 1969, March, 1970, and at the latest available date.

Mr. Dean

Following are the figures:

October, 1964 100
March, 1965 116.4
March, 1966 111.6
March, 1967 107.8
March, 1968 117.3
March, 1969 110.4
March, 1970 116.7
December, 1970 110.2