§ Mr. Leadbitterasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what increases would be required on the present levels of retirement basic pensions for single persons and married couples, respectively, if the threshold proposals for employed persons of 40p per week where prices rise by more than 7 per cent. and 40p for each price rise of 1 per cent. subsequently were applied to pensioners; and by how much the £10 Christmas bonus taken as an average weekly amount added to pensions falls short of these figures.
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§ Mr. DeanThe rise in the retail prices index betwen October 1972 and September 1973—the latest date for which figures are available—was under 8 per cent. On this basis, the proposals referred to would entitle pensions to a 40p increase, whereas pensions were in fact increased earlier this month by £1 for a single person and £1.60 for a married couple, an increase of just under 15 per cent. The last part of the hon. Member's Question does not, therefore, arise.
Single person Married couple Average household income £ per week Standard retirement pension £ per week Percentage of Column (1) Standard retirement pension £ per week Percentage of Column (1) (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) 1970 … 35.40 5.00 14.1 8.10 22.9 1971 … 38.48 Before September … 5.00 13.0 8.10 21.0 After September … 6.00 15.6 9.70 25.2 1972 … 42.85 Before October … 6.00 14.0 9.70 22.6 After October … 6.75 15.8 10.90 25.4 Figures for 1973 are not yet available.