§ Mr. ViggersTo ask the Prime Minister if he will list all payments made to individuals by Government Departments, Government agencies and local authorities which are subject to a means test.
§ The Prime MinisterThe information requested is not available centrally. The main source of income-related payments is the social security system which provides benefits administered by the Benefits Agency and local authorities. These benefits include income support, family credit, disability working allowance, housing benefit and council tax benefit.
A number of Departments operate income-related assistance for a variety of special purposes. For example:
The Department of Education operates a system of mandatory and discretionary grants for people in higher education. Such awards consist of two parts, fees and maintenance, the latter of which is means tested. The scheme is administered by local authorities.The Department of the Environment provides a scheme for home renovation which is administered by local authorities.The Lord Chancellor's Department operates the scheme for legal aid.The Department of Health is responsible for the NHS low income scheme which provides help with NHS charges, optical costs and fares to hospital to receive NHS treatment.