RESTORING THE LINK BETWEEN EARNINGS AND THE BASIC PENSION

Early day motion 1, tabled 17 November 1999 by Paul Flynn (Labour). Signed by 105 members.

That this House welcomes the Government's decision to raise income support for pensioners annually in line with average earnings, but regrets the widening gap between the basic pension and income support; notes the Treasury's estimate that by April 2002 the National Insurance Fund's balance will be ú8.43 billion above the minimum recommended by the Government Actuary; and urges that part of that surplus should be used to restore the link between the basic pension and average earnings for the remaining years of this Parliament, thus ensuring that all pensioners share in the nation's increasing prosperity and preventing a further increase in the number receiving income support.

Signatures by party: Labour 84, Liberal Democrat 11, Labour/Co-operative 4, Scottish National Party 2, UUP 2, Conservative 1, Plaid Cymru 1.