§ Mrs. RoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was (i) the percentage and (ii) the cash increase in real terms in the incomes of pensioners in(a) the top and bottom quintile groups and (b) the top and bottom decile groups of pensioner households for each year since 1983.
§ Miss Widdecombe[holding answer 14 June 1991]: The available information is set out in the table. The figures are based on median equivalised net household incomes at 1987 prices taken from the family expenditure survey. The most recent data available are for 1987. Estimates based on 1984 and 1986 could be obtained only at disproportionate cost. Statistically reliable figures cannot be provided for decile groups.
Changes in the median equivalised net household incomes of given groups of pensioners Percentage change Highest quintile group Lowest quintile group 1979–81 4 7 1981–83 3 4 1983–85 8 1 1985–87 6 1 1979–87 25 15 279W
Cash change at 1987 prices Highest quintile group £ Lowest quintile group £ 1979–81 7.00 4.70 1981–83 6.00 3.10 1983–85 15.00 0.90 1985–87 12.70 0.90 1979–87 40.70 9.60 Note: Income is equivalised and presented per married couple equivalent.
§ Mrs. RoeTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of(a) the top and bottom quintile groups and (b) the top and bottom decile groups of income distribution were pensioners in each year since 1983.
§ Mr. Jack[holding answer 14 June 1991]: Such information as is available is in the table. Figures could be obtained for 1984 and 1986 only at disproportionate cost. The figures given are taken from the family expenditure survey and are based on equivalised household income, before housing costs. 1987 is the last year for which information in the form requested is available.
Pensioners shown as proportions of the specified income distribution groups 1979 1981 1983 1985 1987 Top quintile group per cent. 7 8 8 9 8 Bottom quintile group per cent. 35 26 22 24 25 Top decile group per cent. 7 8 9 8 8 Bottom decile group per cent. 29 15 13 15 17
§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will set out the particular consequences for pensioners of the proposals in the Budget of his right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
§ Mr. MaudeI have been asked to reply.
The only Budget proposals specific to pensioners were the indexation of the income tax personal and married couple's allowances for those aged 65 and over, and the indexation of the income limit for age-related allowances. This was worth about £2.70 a week for a married man aged 65 and over, paying basic rate tax. The effect of the Budget as a whole depends on the circumstances of individual pensioners.