The Rt. Hon. Sir John Major KG CH

Prime Minister of Great Britain and Northern Ireland 1990-1997

1983-1987 Parliament

Mr Major’s Written Parliamentary Answer on Pensions – 12 May 1987

Below is the text of Mr Major’s written Parliamentary Answer on Pensions on 12th May 1987.


Mrs. Sally Oppenheim Asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the rate of decline in the real purchasing power of the pension for a married couple between the date of implementation of the increase in 1975 and the date when the 1976 increase took effect; and what was the rate of decline in the real purchasing power of the pension for a married couple between the date of the implementation of the increase in 1985 and the date when the 1986 increase took effect.

Mr. Major By the date of the November 1976 pension up-rating, the real value of the November 1975 pension rate for a married couple had fallen by 15 per cent. By the date of the July 1986 up-rating, the real value of the November 1985 pension up-rating had fallen by 1.7 per cent.