§ 27. Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for Social Services by how much he now expects the November pension up-rating to fall short of the November inflation rate.
§ 41. Dr. Brayasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will uprate unemployment and other benefits at least by the full amount of inflation.
§ Mr. RossiI refer the hon. Members to my reply to the hon. Members for Harlow (Mr. Newens), South Ayrshire (Mr. Foulkes) and for Glasgow, Kelvingrove (Mr. Carmichael) earlier today.
§ Dr. McDonaldasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action he proposes to take to make good any shortfall in the value of the increases in pensions and other benefits payable from 23 November due to any underestimate made in the likely rate of inflation.
§ Mr. FowlerThe Government are pledged to protect the real value of retirement pensions and linked long-term benefits. If the up-rating of these benefits this November proves insufficient to maintain their real value we will take the shortfall into account in the next up-rating of benefits. The Government's detailed proposals for up-rating these and other benefits in 1982 will be announced next spring, in accordance with the usual practice of successive Governments.