HC Deb 17 February 1989 vol 147 cc389-90W
Mr. Roy Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he has any plans to restore the link with earnings when the annual adjustment to pensions takes place;

(2) if he has any plans to raise the basic level for the retirement pension to half of average earnings for a couple and a third of average earnings for a single pensioner.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

The Government are pledged to maintain the value of the state retirement pension as a result of our policies, pensioners' average total net incomes rose by 23 per cent. in real terms in the seven years from 1979. This compares with only 3 per cent. between 1974 and 1979, when pensions were uprated by the higher of prices or earnings increases.

Mr. Roy Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he has any plans to replace the 25p pension increase in the weekly payment to(a) those aged 80 plus years and (b) those aged 75 plus years and over by a substantial increase.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

No. Pensioners over 80 on low incomes receive higher pensioner premiums under income support. From next October the higher pensioner premiums will be increased over and above the increase due from next April, and in addition there will be new premiums for pensioners aged 75 and over. The October increase will mean an extra £2.50 per week for single pensioners and £3.50 for couples. The 25p age addition is paid to pensioners from age 80.

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