§ 37. Mr. BattleTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he will introduce new pension rates for the over-75s to take account of the losses suffered from the severing of the link between pension and earnings rates.
§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardRestoring the link between pensions and earnings is not the key factor in improving pensioners' incomes. In recognition of the fact that not all pensioners shared equally in the 23 per cent. real terms increases in pensioners' average total net income between 1979 and 1986, we introduced new and enhanced premiums into the income support and housing benefit schemes on 9 October this year. Disabled pensioners and those aged 75 and over will benefit by up to £2.50 a week (single) and £3.50 a week (couple).