§ 14. Mr. RoweTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations she has received on the impact of the current rate of inflation on the recipients of means-tested benefits. [19070]
§ 25. Mr. Gerald HowarthTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment she has made of the impact on the social security budgets for means-tested benefits of the current rate of inflation. [19081]
§ Mr. FieldThe uprating of benefits for 1998–99 was announced on 2 December and will ensure that the main rates of benefits are protected from inflation. The cost of protecting benefits from inflation for 1998–99 will be £2.45 billion.