HC Deb 28 July 1980 vol 989 cc555-6W
Mr. Rooker

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the estimated surplus in the national insurance fund at the time of the benefits up-rating orders in each of the past 10 years, comparing these with estimate surpluses at the time of contribution orders.

Mr. Prentice

Government Actuary reports on benefit uprating orders and contributions rerating orders have been issued since the Social Security Act 1975. Copies of the reports are in the House of Commons Library. The reports set out estimates of the income and outgo for the current year and the following year. Where the surplus or deficit for the following year estimated in the report on the benefits uprating differs appreciably from the estimate given in the preceding report on the contributions order, the reports give an explanation of the main reasons for the amended estimate.