HC Deb 27 November 1989 vol 162 cc147-8W
64. Mr. Atkinson

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he has any plans to increase the Christmas bonus to pensioners.

Mr. Teddy Taylor

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will increase the size of the Christmas bonus payable to pensioners.

Mrs. Gillian Shephard

We have no plans to do so.

Mr. Nellist

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would have been the present level of the pensioners' Christmas bonus if it had been raised since it was first introduced by(a) the rise in prices and (b) the rise in average earnings.

Mrs. Gillian Shephard

The level of Christmas bonus for 1989 had it been raised, since introduction, by the rise in prices or the rise in average earnings would have been £48 or £62 respectively.

Source: DSS Extract of Statistics for Index of Retail Prices, Average Earnings, Social Security Benefits and Contributions.

Note: Figures rounded to the nearest pound.