HC Deb 29 January 1998 vol 305 cc375-6W
Mr. O'Hara

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security in which years since 1968 the state retirement pension has been uprated by(a) the higher of average earnings or prices, (b) prices and (c) neither. [25136]

Mr. Denham

Prior to 1974 there was no statutory obligation to uprate benefits. Increases in Retirement Pensions occurred occasionally on an ad hoc basis. From 1974 to 1979 Retirement Pension was uprated by the higher of earnings or prices. Since 1980 and every subsequent year upratings have been in line with prices.

Mr. O'Hara

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion and number of claimants whose claim for attendance allowance had been refused asked for a review; what proportion and number were successful for each year since 1992; and what proportion and number of those who were unsuccessful at review successfully appealed. [24968]

Mr. Denham

The information is not available in the form requested.

Statistics collected for Attendance Allowance reivews do not distinguish between customers who ask for reviews because their claims were refused and those seeking reviews of existing awards because, for example, of deteriorating conditions. Similarly, the statistics collected for appeals do not distinguish between customers who appeal following unsuccessful reviews where claims have been refused and those appealing against unsuccessful reviews of existing awards. Such information as is available is given in the table below.