HC Deb 01 February 1972 vol 830 cc56-7W
30. Mr. Skinner

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the current purchasing power of the standard retirement pensions, at single and married couple rates, in relation to their purchasing power in June, 1970.

Mr. Strang

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his latest estimate of the change in purchasing power of the National Insurance pension since June, 1970.

Sir K. Joseph

As measured by the General Index of Retail Prices up to December, 1971, the purchasing power of the standard rate retirement pension for a single person is 35p (6.2 per cent.) higher than in June, 1970, and that for a married couple 55p (6.0 per cent.) higher. For the 1¼ million pensioners over age 80 the age addition makes corresponding figures 60p (10.6 per cent.) for the single person and £1.05 (11.4 per cent.) for a married couple.