Page "Harold Wilson" Paragraph 107

Between 1964 and 1968, benefits in kind were significantly progressive, in that over the period those in the lower half of the income scale benefited more than those in the upper half.

On average those receiving state benefits benefited more in terms of increases in real disposable income than the average manual worker or salaried employee between 1964 and 1969.

From 1964 to 1969, low-wage earners did substantially better than other sections of the population.

In 1969, a married couple with two children were 11. 5 % per cent richer in real terms, while for a couple with three children, the corresponding increase was 14. 5 %, and for a family with four children, 16. 5 %.

From 1965 to 1968, the income of single pensioner households as a percentage of other one adult households rose from 48. 9 % to 52. 5 %.

For two pensioner households, the equivalent increase was from 46. 8 % to 48. 2 %.

In addition, mainly as a result of big increases in cash benefits, unemployed persons and large families gained more in terms of real disposable income than the rest of the population during Wilson's time in office.