§ Mr. Scottasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will increase the level of non-contributory invalidity pension which is now less than the level of supplementary benefit and in general results in the loss of heating, dietary and free prescription allowances.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisThe level of noncontributory invalidity pension, which was increased in line with other benefits in November last, has been set as high as was possible. Any special heating or dietary needs will be reflected in the assessment of requirements for supplementary benefit. Thus the receipt of a non-contributory invalidity pension need not reduce a claimant's overall income; nor need it extinguish entitlement on low income grounds to free prescriptions.
§ Mr. Scottasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will advance the date for the introduction of the non-contributory invalidity pension.
§ Mr. Alfred MorrisThe non-contributory pension has in fact already been introduced and is currently in payment to 130,000 beneficiaries. As my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer explained on 22nd July 1976—[Vol. 915, c. 2016]—the extension of non-contributory invalidity pensions, which was introduced for men and single women in November 1975, to include married women incapable of doing their house work, has had to be delayed until November 1977 in order to restrict public expenditure. The necessary regulations are now being considered by the National Insurance Advisory Committee.