§ Dr. McDonaldasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish in the Official Report a table showing increases in long-term and short-term benefit rates in percentage terms for each year from 1976 to 1981, the rise in the retail price index in the 12 months to
Percentage increase since date of previous up-rating Short-term benefit rate* Long-term benefit rate† Index of retail prices Index of average earnings Real value of short-term benefit rate Real value of long-term benefit rate November 1976 16.2 15.0 15.0 13.2‡ 1.1 0 November 1977 14.0 14.4 13.0 8.6§ 0.8 1.2 November l978 7.1 11.4 8.1 13.3§ -0.8 3.1 November 1979 17.5 19.5║ 17.4 19.1§ 0.05 1.8 As for the 1980 up-rating, from 24 November, the short-term benefit rate was increased by 11.6 per cent, and the long-term benefit rate by 16.5 per cent. The remaining information for 1980 is not yet available. Decisions as to the 1981 up-rating have not yet been taken. * Standard rate of unemployment benefit for a single person. †Standard rate of retirement pension for a single person. ‡Older series. §Whole economy. ║Includes amount to make good 1.9 per cent, shortfall in relation to earnings in 1978