§ Mr. McMasterTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish the level of Christmas bonus payable to senior citizens in(a) each of the past 15 years and (b) the current financial year; what its level would have been in each of those years had it been linked to inflation or prices, whichever was the higher in each relevant year; and if he will make a statement on the bonus in 1992.
§ Miss WiddecombeThe Christmas bonus has remained at £10 since its introduction in 1972. No Government have increased its value since then. Because the bonus is paid to all regardless of income, any increase in the amount would be a poorly targeted use of resources. We have, therefore, no plans to increase the amount of the bonus. The £10 bonus will however be paid in 1992 as provided in statute. The table shows the level of the bonus in each of the past 15 years and the current financial year had it been increased annually in line with prices.
601W
Date of Uprating Amount-£s November 1977 11.30 November 1978 12.20 November 1979 14.30
Date of Uprating Amount-£s November 1980 16.50 November 1981 18.50 November 1982 19.65 November 1983 20.40 November 1984 21.45 November 1985 22.95 July 1986 23.20 April 1987 23.70 April 1988 24.70 April 1989 26.15 April 1990 28.15 April 1991 31.20 April 1992 32.50
§ Mr. MartlewTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the level of Christmas bonus for pensioners which would be required to match the equivalent purchasing power of the £10 bonus paid in 1974.
§ Miss WiddecombeI refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Orkney and Shetland (Mr. Wallace) on Thursday 19 November, at columns367–68.