§ 31. Mr. Roy Hughesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he last met the representatives of pensioners' organisations; what issues they raised; and what action he is taking to meet their demands.
§ Mr. Patrick JenkinI met a deputation which included a number of representatives of pensioners' organsiations on 4 March. Matters raised by the deputation included the level of retirement pensions; the recent changes, implemented or proposed, in the uprating of pensions; the level of the Christmas bonus; fuel prices and local authority services. I stressed our commitment to maintain the value of pensions over the lifetime of this Parliament and the need for economic restraint, from which the social security budget could not be immune. I pointed out that help with fuel costs for beneficiaries exceeded £200 million a year and that spending on personal social services was 4 per cent. higher in real terms in 1979–80 than in the previous year.