§ Sir Peter HordernTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would have been the cost to public funds if the state retirement pension had been paid in line with increases in average earnings, rather than prices, in each of the last 10 years.
§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardThe information requested is contained in the reply given to the hon. Member for Oldham, West (Mr. Meacher) on 20 March at column595.
§ Sir Peter HordernTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners are dependent upon the state retirement pension alone; and what proportion they bear to the total number of pensioners, in each of the last 10 years.
§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardThe most recent figures available are set out in the table. The family expenditure survey does not identify state retirement pension separately from income support and housing benefits. However, few pensioners rely solely on their state pension as their only income as the vast majority would be entitled to extra help from income-related benefits.
Proportion of pensioner tax units per cent. 1979 20.2 1980 19.8 1981 18.6 1982 17.6 1983 16.7 1984 18.0 1985 14.5 1986 15.9 1987 13.5 Notes:
- 1. Source: Family Expenditure Survey.
- 2. A pensioner tax unit is the unit on which a tax assessment is made.