§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the numbers of supplementary pensioners receiving heating additions in each of the years 1978, 1979, 1980, 1981, 1982 and 1983.
§ Dr. BoysonThe information requested is as follows:
Year Number of supplementary pensioners receiving a heating addition at date of annual statistical inquiry (thousands) 1978 1,234 1979 1,302 1980 1,497 1981 1,557 1982 1,566 1983 * *Not yet available.
§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the percentage increase in the value of heating additions between November 1978 and November 1983.
§ Dr. BoysonIn November 1978 there were three rates of supplementary benefit heating addition. They were 85p, £1.70 and £2.55. There are now only two rates, £2.05 and £5.05. When the number of rates was reduced, in 1980, those receiving the lowest old rate received the lower new rate. Others receiving the middle and upper old rates were given the higher new rate. The present lower rate is 140 per cent. higher than the lowest 1978 rate. The present higher rate is 197 per cent. higher than the 1978 middle rate and 98 per cent. higher than the 1978 highest rate. Between November 1978 and October 1983, the fuel component of the RPI increased by 100 per cent. Figures for November 1983 are not yet available.
§ Mr. Foulkesasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the percentage increase in the value of the age-related heating addition between November 1981 and November 1983.
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§ Dr. BoysonThe age-related heating addition was £1.65 in November 1981 and is now £2.05. This represents an increase of 24.2 per cent. Between November 1981 and October 1983 the fuel components of the RPI increased by 17 per cent. Figures for November 1983 are not yet available.