§ Mr. Gowasked the Secretary of State for Social Services by how much the 25 pence per week additional pension for the over-80-year-olds would have to be increased in order that it should have the same purchasing power as it did on 20th September 1971; and what proposals the Government have to increase the amount of the additional pension.
§ Mr. OrmeOn the basis of the movement in the General Index of Retail Prices between September 1971 and February 1978, the latest date for which a figure is available, the 25p age addition which is paid to pensioners aged 80 and over would have to be increased by 34p to give it the purchasing power it had at September 1971. At present the Government have no plans to increase the amount of the age addition. Our priorities have been to concentrate resources on improving the general level of basic retirement pensions and other maintenance benefits.