§ Lord Jenkins of Putneyasked Her Majesty's Government:
What have been the increases in real terms since 1980 in (a) average earnings and (b) state pensions.
§ Lord Mackay of ArdbrecknishBetween the benefit upratings in November 1980 and April 1995, average earnings are estimated to have increased by 30.5 per cent. in real terms. During the same period the basic State Pension has risen by 1.1 per cent. in real terms for a person on their own insurance and by 0.8 per cent. for a woman claiming on her husband's insurance.
The Average Earnings Index (whole economy) as published by the Central Statistical Office has been used.