HC Deb 30 October 2000 vol 355 cc259-60W
Mr. Bercow

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has made of the effect of increases in petrol prices on the living standards of pensioners. [134417]

Mr. Rooker

In 1998–99, 'pensioner households' spent an average of £5.70 a week on petrol, diesel and other motor oils. This represented around 3 per cent. of their disposable income on average. In comparison households where the head was aged under 65 spent an average of £15.50 a week (4 per cent. of disposable income). Therefore the effect of increases in petrol prices would be smaller for pensioners than non-pensioners.

Given that expenditure on petrol, diesel and motor oils represents a small proportion of disposable income for pensioner households, the effect of price increases on living standards would be even smaller.

Notes:
  1. 1. Pensioner households are defined as those where the head is aged 65 years or over.
  2. 2. No account is taken of changes in behaviour such as people responding to higher prices by buying smaller amounts.
  3. 3. All money amounts are in 1998–99 prices. Expenditure figures are rounded to the nearest £0.10p; increases in expenditure are rounded to the nearest £0.01p.
Source: Family Expenditure Survey 1998£99.