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Social Security

The hon. Gentleman is right. We need to ensure that pension credit is claimed by those who are entitled to it. Later in my speech I shall say more about the type of assistance that we are trying to give people to ensure that they claim. The order will increase most national insurance benefits in line with the retail prices index. As we have done in earlier years, we will base the uprating exercise on data produced in September, when the retail prices index stood at 5 per cent. I should emphasise that the September RPI of 5 per cent. was the peak of last year, higher than earnings. Let me explain what this means for British pensioners. The basic state pension will increase by £4.55 to £95.25 a week, while the standard rate for couples will rise by £7.25 to £152.30. That is the biggest increase since 2001.