Social Security

Part of the debate – in the House of Commons at 7:52 pm on 27 July 1983.

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Photo of Mr Jeff Rooker Mr Jeff Rooker , Birmingham, Perry Barr 7:52, 27 July 1983

I am grateful for the way in which the hon. Gentleman responded to the intervention of my hon. Friend the Member for Birkenhead (Mr. Field). Does the hon. Gentleman realise the import of what he is proposing? Currently, earnings are rising by about 8 per cent. Pensioners will get 3·7 per cent., so their incomes will drop relative to the spending power of the average wage earner this year before the hon. Gentleman brings in his scheme to cut benefits further. Does he not think that pensioners and others on benefits are already being forced into the real world by the further erosion of their spending power relative to those in work? Will he take forward the consequences of his suggestion?