8. Mr. William O'BrienTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to review the disregards involving housing benefit and council tax for people who are in receipt of occupational pensions; and if he will make a statement. [14358]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Social Security (Mr. Roger Evans)We have no plans to change the treatment of occupational pensions in claims for housing benefit and council tax benefit.
Mr. O'BrienThe Minister will be aware of my constituent, Mr. Rogers, who receives 81p a week mine workers pension. Government regulations have meant that he has had a 57p cut in housing benefit and a cut in council tax benefit of 16p, which has left him with 8p a week. He has now been notified by Yorkshire Water that the service charges for water and sewerage will increase at twice the rate of inflation. That leaves my constituent owing money to the Government because of their activities. When will the Government stop driving pensioners, especially people on occupational pensions, deeper and deeper into the poverty trap?
§ Mr. EvansI am not aware, at this moment, of the facts—[Interruption.] Well, I have not got a letter. I shall be happy to look into the matter that the hon. Gentleman specifically raises, and will write to him.
The hon. Gentleman's general question highlights the difficulties of income-related benefits. The Labour party's apparent proposals for a guaranteed minimum pension would simply extend means testing, with the difficulties that the hon. Member mentioned.
§ Mr. Patrick ThompsonWhen my hon. Friend the Minister considers disregards for housing benefit and council tax rebates, will he bear in mind the representations that I have received from war pensioners and war widows in Norwich? Is my hon. Friend aware that Labour-controlled, mean-minded Norwich city council is refusing to apply disregards to those war pensioners, in spite of the example set by neighbouring councils and the majority of other councils?