Income-related Benefits

HC Deb 13 December 1994 vol 251 cc634-5W

Mr. Dewar

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the effect on the numbers of claimants of(a) income support, (b) housing benefit, (c) family credit, (d) community charge or council tax benefit and (e) all income-related benefits of the freeze in the limits for capital or savings since 1988.

Mr. Roger Evans

The upper capital limit was raised in April 1990 from £6,000 to £8,000 in income support and family credit and to £16,000 in housing benefit and community charge benefit. Had the lower capital limit of £3,000 been increased in line with the retail prices index to 1994–95 prices, it is estimated that a further 10,000 claimants would become entitled to income support. The effect on the numbers of those claiming other income-related benefits is negligible.

Note:

Estimate based on data drawn from the 1990–91–92 family expenditure surveys, uprated to 1994–95 prices and benefit levels, making adjustments for numbers with capital reported on the 1993 statistical inquiry.

Numbers of claimants are rounded to the nearest 5,000.