§ Sir Brandon Rhys Williamsasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish figures. for each year since 1978, comparing the annual percentage increases in the basic state retirement pension, for each of a single person and a married couple, with increases in ( a) the retail prices index, (b) the index of average earnings and (c) the net earnings (after income tax and national insurance contribution) at average earnings of a single person and a married couple.
§ Mr. ScottThe table shows the increase at uprating dates in each year for each of the items specified.
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November July April 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 11986 11987 Net earnings (Male manual workers) single person 16.4 21.4 13.3 6.8 6.0 7.0 8.5 6.2 45.9 48.3 married man 15.8 20.7 13.5 6.4 6.3 7.4 8.8 6.3 45.7 7.6 Net earnings (all adult males) single person 16.0 22.2 16.9 8.1 6.3 7.5 9.0 6.8 46.5 48.4 married man 15.2 21.3 17.0 7.8 6.7 7.8 9.2 6.9 46.4 47.9 1 Increase since previous uprating date. 2 Differences in the percentage increases in the pension for a single person and a married couple in 1979 and 1986 are due to rounding. 3 Average earnings index, whole economy, seasonally adjusted. 4 Based on provisional earnings figures for July 1986 and April 1987.
§ Mr. Winnickasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will now supply the information requested by the hon. Member for Walsall, North as to the amount paid in £ sterling equivalent in state pension to the retired in other European Economic Community countries and the amount currently paid out in the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. ScottThere is nothing I can usefully add to my reply to the hon. Member on 8 July at column171