§ Mr. BowdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of(a) single pensioners and b) pensioner couples had incomes below one half of average household income each year since 1979.
§ Mr. HagueAn answer covering each year since 1979 could he supplied only at disproportionate cost. The available information is published in tables F1(BHC) and Fl (AFC) of "Households Below Average Income 1979–1990/91", copies of which are in the Library.
§ Mr. BowdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the average gross weekly income of(a) single pensioners and (b) pensioner couples in the lastest year for which figures are available; and what has been the average growth in income of each group since 1979.
§ Mr. HagueIn 1990–91, information from the family expenditure survey shows that the average gross weekly income of(a) single pensioners was £110.20 and (b) pensioner couples was £214.80. This represents an average growth in income since 1979 of (a) 42 per cent. for single pensioners and (b) 41 per cent. for pensioner couples.
110WNote 1: Pensioner couples are couples where the husband is over state pension age.
§ Mr. HagueSince 1979, my Department has more than maintained the real value of the basic retirement pension; improved choice and flexibility in pension provision; and targeted additional resources to poorer pensioners. 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. Also, as announced in the Budget last week, increases on the income-related benefits over and above the normal uprating will amount to 50p for single pensioners and 70p for couples in April 1994. The basic state pension rate will also be increased by 50p on top of the normal uprating plus an additional 20p for couples as part of the package of help for VAT on domestic fuel.