§ Mr. PawseyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the current budget for old—age pensions in England and Wales; and what it was in(a) 1979 and (b) 1990 in equivalent terms. [3092]
§ Mr. HealdThe information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is set out in the tables.
£ million (GB) 1979–80 1990–91 1996–97 Cash price Cash price contributory retirement pension 8,816 22,699 31,951 Non-contributory retirement pension 36 36 36 Total retirement pension 8,852 22,735 31,987 1996–97 prices Contributory retirement pension 23,260 27,782 31,951 Non-contributory retirement pension 95 44 36 Total retirement pension 22,355 27,826 31,987 Source:
Social Security March 1996 departmental report and earlier equivalents.