§ Mr. FlightTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will provide a breakdown of average pensioner incomes for each year between 1979 and the last year for which information is available. [21027]
§ Mr. McCartneyThe average pensioner incomes are supplied in the table. 701W
Average pensioner incomes 1979–1999/2000 £per annum All pensioners Pensioner couples Single pensioners 1979 115 167 87 1981 122 174 94 1987 147 212 111 1988 152 227 110 1989 150 215 113 1990–91 163 232 121 1992 173 244 130 1992–93 173 244 130 1994–951 177 253 130 1995–961 176 249 130 1996–971 187 268 135 1997–981 189 270 137 1998–991 194 275 142 1999/20001 201 281 149 Notes:
1. All incomes are £ per week and at July prices.
2. FRS information is only available from 1994. Prior to this, FES based estimates have been used.
3. Pensioners are defined as:
Single (non cohabiting) people over State pension age (65 for men and 60 for women).
Couples (married or cohabiting) where the man, who is defined as the head of a couple, is aged 65 and over.
4. The income quoted is the net mean income before housing costs. It includes all types of income including benefit income, occupational pensions, investment income and earnings.
Source: 1 The Family Resources Survey (FRS) 1994/7–1999/2000
The Family Expenditure Survey (FES) 197–1992/93