HC Deb 06 July 1981 vol 8 c23W
Mr.Gordon Wilson

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services to what extent over the past two years, social security, State pensions and other benefits have kept in line with price rises; and if he will publish figures.

Mrs. Chalker

The level of price rises as measured by the general retail price index between November 1978 and November 1980 was 35.4 per cent.* By way of illustration the amount and percentage increase of some of the principal personal weekly benefits at those dates was:

Benefit Weekly rate at November 1978 Weekly rate at November 1980 Percentage Increase (1978–80)
£ £
Retirement and Widow's Pension (standard basic rate) 19.50 27.15 39.2
Unemployment and Sickness Benefit (standard basic rate) 15.75 20.65 31.1
Invalidity Pension 19.50 26.00 33.3
Supplementary Benefit Short Term: single House-holder 15.55 21.30 37.0
Long.Term: single House-holder 19.90 27.15 36.4
Family Income Supplement† 46.00 67.00 45.7
Mobility allowance ‡10.00 14.50 45.0
Child Benefit **3.00 4.75 **58.3
Notes:
*Between the uprating dates of 13 November 1978 and 25 November 1980 this is estimated to be the equivalent of 35.6 per cent.
† Prescibed amount for a 1 child family.
‡ Rate introduced in July 1978.
** Child tax allowance in force, which for standard rate tax payer's child aged 11 or under, was worth approximately £0.63 per week. If the value of these is taken into account in 1978, the rate of child support becomes £3.63 and percentage increase between November 1978 and November 1980 is then 30.9 per cent. Child tax allowance for children aged 11–15 and 16+ were worth £0.86 per week and £1.05 (approximately) respectively.

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