HC Deb 07 February 1984 vol 53 cc586-7W
Mr. John

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the percentage increase between November 1977 and November 1983 in (a) average earnings, (b) the retirement pension, (c) invalidity pension, (d) unemployment benefit, (e) the ordinary rate of supplementary benefit and (f) the long-term rate of supplementary benefit.

Dr. Boyson

Based on the index of average earnings (whole economy, seasonally adjusted) the percentage increase between November 1977 and November 1983 was:

per cent.
a. average earnings (provisional) 106.2
b. retirement pension 94.6
c. invalidity pension 86.3
d. unemployment benefit 84.00
e. ordinary rate of supplementary benefit 84.8
f. long term rate of supplementary benefit 90.5

Mr. John

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will express as a percentage of average earnings at November 1983 (a) the retirement pension, (b) invalidity pension, (c) unemployment benefit, (d) the ordinary rate of supplementary benefit and (e) the long-term rate of supplementary benefit, in each case giving the figures for a single person and for a married couple; if he will give the equivalent figures for each November from November 1977; and if, for each year in which an earnings-related supplement to unemployment benefit was payable, he will give the equivalent figures for a person receiving an earnings-related supplement corresponding to average earnings in addition to flat-rate unemployment benefit.

Dr. Boyson

The information requested for each year from 1977 to 1982 is given in the "Abstract of Statistics for Index of Retail Prices, Average Earnings, Social Security Benefits and Contributions, June 1983" (table 5), except for information relating to unemployment benefit with earnings-related supplement which is given in the June 1982 edition (table 5.4), copies of both of which are held in the Library of the House.

The provisional figures for November 1983 are as follows:

Expressed as a percentage of average earnings November 1983
Male manual workers All male workers
Single person

Per cent.

 Married couple

Per cent.

 Single person

Per cent.

 Married couple

Per cent.
Retirement pension 23.0 36.8 19.7 31.5
Invalidity pension 22.0 35.2 18.9 30.2
Unemployment benefit 18.3 29.3 15.7 25.3
Supplementary benefit (ordinary rate) 18.1 29.4 15.5 25.2
Supplementary benefit (long-term rate) 23.0 36.8 19.7 31.6