§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security which benefits that have never been uprated since their introduction were not uprated in his recent statement; and what are his reasons for freezing them. [4123]
§ Mr. HealdThe following benefits have not been uprated since they were introduced: widow's payment, Christmas bonus and age addition to retirement pension.
Widows payment is only one part of widow's benefit. Widow's pension and widowed mother's allowance have been uprated regularly. Although the Christmas bonus has not been uprated, it is now paid to a wider target group of around 13 million people. Similarly, to increase the retirement pension age addition would be a poor use of resources. Pensioners over 80 who receive an income-related benefit will gain from the increase in higher pensioner premium. From April 1996 the value of this premium will be £25.90 for a single person and £37.05 for a couple.