HC Deb 02 March 1989 vol 148 c325W
Mr. Andrew Bowden

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of all pensioners receive a state additional pension; what is the average amount received; and what is the average amount of state additional pension received by those retiring now.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

As at 31 March 1988, approximately 20 per cent. of all pensioners were in receipt of state additional pension; the average weekly amount received net of guaranteed minimum pension was £2.96 (men), and £2.42 (women on their own contributions). The average weekly payments to men aged 65 and women aged 60 (on their own contributions) were £4.72 and £3.13 respectively.

Mr. Andrew Bowden

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will give(a) the overall increase in pensioner incomes in real terms between 1979 an 1986 by quintile group and (b) the overall increase in pensioner incomes in real terms between 1983 and 1986 by quintile group.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

The real terms increase in pensioners' average total income by quintile is as follows:

Percentage increase
1979–86 1983–86
5 (highest quintile) 27 8
4 20 4
3 21 3
2 23 4
1 (lowest quintile) 20 2