§ Mr. MeacherTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the percentage increase in state retirement pension for each year since 1979; and what was the percentage increase in(a) prices and (b) average earnings in each of those years.
(A) (B) (C) (D) Uprating date Rate of Retirement Pension Percentage increase in rate of Retirement Pension Percentage increase in Retail Prices Index Percentage increase in average earnings November 1979 23.30 — — — November 1980 27.15 16.5 15.3 17.9 November 1981 29.60 9.0 12.0 11.5 November 1982 32.85 11.0 6.3 8.3 November 1983 34.05 3.7 4.8 7.3 November 1984 35.80 5.1 4.9 6.5 November 1985 38.30 7.0 5.5 8.6 July 1986 38.70 1.0 1.7 5.7 April 1987 39.50 2.1 4.4 5.4 April 1988 41.15 4.2 3.9 8.4 April 1989 43.60 6.0 8.0 9.7 April 1990 46.90 7.6 9.4 9.3 April 1991 52.00 10.9 6.4 8.6 Notes:
- (1) Column C gives the percentage increase in the Retail Prices Index (all items) between uprating dates. These figures cannot be used as uprating factors—an earlier period of price movements must be used as a proxy so that sufficient time is available, for administrative purposes. to ensure timeous payment of the new rates. For example, the increase in April 1991, 10.9 per cent., represents the percentage change in the RPI from September 1989 to September 1990.
- (2) Column B gives the percentage increase in the Retirement Pension between uprating dates (the uprating factor).
- (3) Column A gives the rate of Category A Retirement Pension for a single person.
- (4) Column D gives the percentage increase in Average Earnings—New Series Index (whole economy) seasonally adjusted.