§ Lord Stallardasked Her Majesty's Governmet:
What proportion of the income of an average pensioner is spent on fuel, and how this compares with the figures for a family on average male earnings and average male manual earnings.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health and Social Security (Lord Glenarthur): The Family Expenditure Survey 1982 (the most recent figures available) showed that, on average, households headed by a pensioner spent about 1 1 per cent. of their income on fuel, light and power. In April 1982 average weekly earnings of men over 21 working full time in manual occupations were £133.80. and those in all occupations were £154.50 (New Earnings Survey). The Family Expenditure 700WA Survey 1982 showed that a couple with children whose normal weekly earnings were between £100 and £140 spent on average about 7 per cent. of their income on fuel, light and power, and a similar family whose normal weekly earnings were between £ 140 and £ 170 spent on average about 6 per cent. of their income on fuel, light and power.