§ Mr. DoddsTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate what the state pension would be for(a) a single person and (b) a married couple, if the link with average earnings had not been broken. [83117]
§ Mr. McCartneyThe information is in the table.
The value of the state pension for (a) a single person and (b) a married couple if the link to average earnings had not been broken (£ per week) Basic state pension at November 1979 Actual amount in April 2002 Amount in April 2002 if the link to average earnings had not been broken Single 23.30 75.50 105.70 Couple 37.30 120.70 169.00 Notes:
1 Rates are taken from November 1979 as the earnings link was broken in November 1980.
2 The Retail Prices Index (all items) has been used as published by the Office for National Statistics.
3 Average Earnings Index Whole Economy (Non Seasonally Adjusted) as published by the Office of National Statistics.
4 From April 1994 the basic rate of retirement pension has been increased by 50p on a single person and an additional 20p on a pensioner couple to reflect VAT on fuel.
5 Figures have been rounded to the nearest 5 pence at each uprating.
Source:
Information Centre, Information and Analysis Directorate.
§ Mr. DoddsTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what percentage of average earnings the State Pension is for(a) a single person and (b) a married couple. [83118]
§ Mr. McCartneyThe information is in the table.
The percentage of average earnings the State Pension is for (a) a single person and (b) a married couple Rate of basic state pension at April 2002 (£ per week) Rate as a percentage of average earnings Single 75.50 16.2 Couple 120.70 26.0 Note:
Average weekly earnings of full time adult workers (from New Earnings Survey) as published by the Office of National Statistics.
Source:
Information Centre, Information and Analysis Directorate.