HC Deb 07 July 1994 vol 246 c292W
Mr. David Atkinson

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what has been the percentage change in(a) the state pension, (b) the pensioners price index and (c) the retail prices index since 1979; and what has been the average change in pensioner income.

Mr. Hague

Between November 1979 and April 1994, state retirement pension increased by 147.2 per cent. while the pensioners price index increased by 118.4 per cent. and the retail prices index by 139.4 per cent.

Between 1979 and 1991—the latest year for which these figures are currently available—the average increase in pensioners' income was 42 per cent. above the level of inflation, as measured by the retail price index.

Notes:

  1. 1. Percentage figures have been corrected to one decimal place and to whole number for growth in pensioner incomes.
  2. 2. The standard rate of basic retirement pension payable to a single person aged under 80 has been used in the calculation.
  3. 3. The pensioners price index is a quarterly index; growth has been measured between the last quarter of 1979 and the first quarter of 1994.