HC Deb 26 April 1993 vol 223 c310W
20. Mr. Spring

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what measures his Department has taken to maintain support for the elderly.

Miss Widdecombe

Since 1979 the Department has maintained the real value of the basic retirement pension; improved choice and flexibility in pension provision so that now 67 per cent. of recently retired pensioners have income from occupational pensions; and targeted additional resources to poorer pensioners—now totalling some £1 billion extra each year. Spending on benefits for the elderly has increased in real terms by 40 per cent. since 1979, to nearly £34.5 billion in 1992–93.