HC Deb 22 January 1996 vol 270 c107W
Sir Andrew Bowden

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his latest estimate of the number of pensioners who are in receipt of(a) income support and (b) housing benefit. [10207]

Mr. Roger Evans

The numbers of pensioners receiving income support and housing benefit are 1.78 million and 1.94 million respectively.

Notes:

1. Sources: Income Support Statistics Quarterly Enquiry February 1995 (5 per cent. sample), Housing Benefit Management Information Systems 1 per cent. sample May 1994.

2. The figures have been rounded to the nearest 10,000.

3. A pensioner is defined as aged 60 or over.