HC Deb 09 December 1982 vol 33 c577W
58. Mr. Cryer

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how much revenue he anticipates will be gained by the pension clawback he is considering.

Mr. Rossi

As my right hon. and learned Friend made clear in his autumn statement on 8 November, the Government's public expenditure plans for the social security programme include a reduction of expenditure in 1983–84 of £180 million. That adjustment was made having regard to the fact that the price forecast of 9 per cent. at the last Budget will be higher than the actual rise in prices. The reduction does not represent a judgment on the precise level of the 1983 uprating either generally or in respect of particular benefits, since decisions about that uprating will be made at the time of next year's Budget.