HC Deb 28 February 1994 vol 238 cc618-9W
Mr. Dykes

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what account the 1994 uprating benefits for pensioners and sick and disabled people has taken of the rate of inflation.

Mr. Hague

The uprating of benefits from April 1994 is based on the movement in the retail prices index over the preceding September-to-September period. In addition to price indexation, the standard weekly rates of basic retirement and invalidity pensions, severe disablement allowance and income support for sick and disabled people will be increased by 50p single rate or 70p couple rate to provide extra help for VAT on domestic fuel.

Mr. Jim Cunningham

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security in which area of benefits he proposes to make cuts.

Mr. Hague

I refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State's statement to the House on 1 December 1993 at columns1037–59 announcing a full uprating of benefits, substantial extra help towards VAT on fuel and proposals for the reform of a number of benefits. The subsequent Social Security Benefits Up-rating Order 1994 was approved by the Commons on 16 February, and will be debated by the Lords on 28 February.

We continue to keep social security under review to ensure that we have the kind of system which will serve the country well into the next century.