§ Mr. Fieldasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will estimate the cost of raising retirement pensions to a third and a half of (a) gross and (6) net average earnings.
§ Mr. RossiThe estimated cost of increasing retirement pension for a single person to a third of gross average earnings and that for a married couple to a half of gross average earnings would be £12 billion in a full year—based on average weekly earnings in November 1982. The corresponding cost if average earnings net of tax and national insurance contributions were used would be £2 billion. Both figures include the effect of increasing other long-term benefits by the same percentage as retirement pension.
§ Mr. Fieldasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will estimate the cost of increasing pensions by an additional £1.45 for a single person and £2.25 for a married couple.
§ Mr. RossiIf retirement pensions were increased by £1.45 for a single person and £2.25 for a married couple, and if all other long-term benefits were increased by the same amount, the estimated cost would be about £850 million in a full year.