HC Deb 08 November 1982 vol 31 cc52-3W
Mr. Foulkes

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if, further to his reply to the hon. Member for Grimsby (Mr. Mitchell), Official Report, 26 July c. 380, he will estimate that part of the savings of £70 million in 1981–82 and £215 million in 1982–83 resulting from the imposition of the 1 per cent. cut which has been saved on the retirement pension alone; and how much this represents in cash terms for the weekly single and married retirement pension.

Mr. Newton

As a result of the adjustment made at the 1981 uprating to take account of the 1 per cent. overshoot that occurred at the 1980 uprating, expenditure on retirement pensions was £38 million lower in 1981–82 and £124 million lower in 1982–83 than would otherwise have been the case. If this adjustment had not been made, the November 1981 rates of retirement pension would have been 25 pence higher for a single person and 45 pence higher for a married couple.