§ Mr. Roger KingTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the most recent figures on pensioners' incomes; and what were the comparable figures in 1974 and 1979.
§ 1. Mr. NewtonDetailed analysis, recently completed, of data from the 1987 family expenditure survey shows that the average pensioners' total net income increased by over 31 per cent. in real terms between 1979 and 1987. Table 1 shows a breakdown of the individual components which contributed towards this increase.
685WThe analysis also shows that the proportion of pensioners in the lowest quintile of income distribution fell from 38 per cent. in 1979 to 24 per cent. in 1987. Pensioners who receive all of their income from state benefits have experienced a real increase of more than 27 per cent. over the same period. The figures also show that the average pensioners' gross income represented 61 per cent. of the average earnings of all manual workers.
In 1987 a total of 73 per cent. of all pensioners received income from savings and the average amount that they received was £28.40. Also, 52 per cent. of all pensioners had an occupational pension and the average amount received was £44.80. Table 2 shows the comparable figures for 1974 and 1979.
Table 2—Pensioners' Income from Savings and Occupational Pensions 1974, 1979 and 1987 1974 1979 1987 Percentage of pensioners with savings income 53.0 62.0 73.0 Average amount received from Savings Income (£ per week) 20.50 14.60 28.40 Percentage of pensioners with Occupational Pensions 35.0 41.0 52.0 Average amount received from Occupational Pension (£ per week) 33.70 32.10 44.80 Notes:
Source: Family Expenditure Survey.
2. £s per week at 1987 prices.
3. Averages are for those who actually received savings income/occupational pensions.