Senior citizens are now getting less food for their pensions than they were ten years ago.

Increases in the state pension fall way below the rate of increase for food, although it is higher than the Retail Price Index.

Treasury Minister Alan Bell revealed the figures in a written answer to a series of questions from Douglas North MHK Bill Henderson.

Kate Skinner reports:

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A table comparing the trends shows food has risen by over 50 per cent since 1996, whereas pensions are up almost 40 and the Retail Price Index by just over 30 points.

The majority of growth has come since 2000.

As for fuel costs, the price of oil has risen by almost 110 per cent, with Gas up by nearly 60 per cent. Electricity has risen by 20 per cent.

Bread and milk has gone up by 20 and 30 per cent respectively, and meat is up by just over 10.


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