§ Dr. Owenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the estimated erosion in the real value of the following benefits between November 1981 and November 1982: child benefit, short term unemployment benefit, long term unemployment benefit, retirement pension and basic supplementary benefit.
§ Mr. RossiThe latest forecast, under the Industry Act 1975, is that the annual increase in the retail price index over the next year will be about 10 per cent. The Government have already said that national insurance and other social security benefits will be increased in November 1982 in line with the forecast movement of prices between November 1981 and November 1982. The detailed changes will be announced in the spring. Of the benefits listed by the right hon. Member, retirement pensions and supplementary pensions paid to people over pension age are two of the benefits covered by the further pledge to make good at the November 1982 uprating the short fall—probably about 2 per cent.—between the actual movement of prices in the 12 months to November 1981 and the 10 per cent. forecast on which the uprating in that month was calculated.