§ Mr. GarnierTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will ensure that social security entitlements are increased to match any increases in consumer charges due to the windfall tax. [2976]
§ Mr. FieldAny increase in consumer charges will be a matter for the regulators. Representations from individual companies would have to be considered on their own merits, but we can see no reason for any price increases as a result of the windfall tax. Benefit amounts will be reviewed at the normal time in the normal way taking account of movements in the Retail Prices Index and Rossi indices.