HC Deb 05 February 1971 vol 810 cc477-8W
Mr. Lomas

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list in table form the percentage of average earnings represented by the various social security benefits for each five-year period from 1945 to the latest available date.

Mr. Dean

Following are the figures for flat-rate National Insurance retirement pension:

Single Rate Married Rate
July, 1945 … 8.2 16.5
October, 1950 … 17.3 27.9
October, 1955 … 17.9 29.2
October, 1960 … 17.2 27.5
October, 1965 … 20.4 33.2
October, 1970 … 17.8 28.9

Other comparable benefits have moved broadly in step.