§ Mr. DrewTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the difference was in each year since 1980 between the amount by which pensions would have increased for married couples, with the spouse as a dependent adult, if they had been based on(a) the retail prices index and (b) average earnings. [92485]
§ Mr. TimmsThe information is in the table. Information is also provided on what the rate would have been if the link uprating by the higher of earnings or prices had been retained.
Basic pension for married couples including dependency increase £s per week Uprating date Actual rate paid increased by Retail Prices Index Rate if increased by higher of earnings or prices Rate if increased by AverageEarnings November 1980 43.45 43.45 43.45 November 1981 47.35 48.40 48.40 November 1982 52.55 52.45 53.75 November 1983 54.50 57.00 58.40 November 1984 57.30 59.85 61.35 November 1985 61.30 65.05 66.70 July 1986 61.95 68.00 69.75 April 1987 63.25 71.85 73.65 April 1988 65.90 77.45 79.40 April 1989 69.80 84.25 86.35 April 1990 75.10 92.40 94.75 April 1991 83.25 101.20 105.05 April 1992 86.70 108.90 113.05 April 1993 89.80 114.10 118.50 April 1994 92.10 117.65 122.15 April 1995 94.10 121.65 126.30 April 1996 97.75 125.05 131.25 April 1997 99.80 130.30 136.75 April 1998 103.40 135.65 142.35 April 1999 106.70 142.30 149.30 Notes:
1. The Retail Prices Index (all items) has been used as published by the Office for National Statistics
2. Average Earnings Index Whole Economy (Non Seasonally Adjusted) as published by the Office for National Statistics
3. Figures have been rounded to the nearest 5 pence at each uprating
4. Figures based on a man plus a dependent wife both aged under age 80 where the man has 100 per cent. entitlement