§ 16. Mr. Roger EvansTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if it is Government policy regularly to uprate pensions and other benefits; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HagueYes. We have uprated retirement pension and most other benefits in line with prices or better each year since 1979. This April, the uprating of retirement pension—and most other benefits—included an additional element, above the increase in prices, for extra help with the cost of VAT on fuel.