HC Deb 28 July 1998 vol 317 cc197-8W
Mr. Duncan Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what targets have been set for the time within which payments of the minimum pension top-up will be made. [53165]

Mr. Denham

The current targets for Income Support, which are reviewed annually, are for 60 per cent. of new claims to be cleared within 5 days, and for 87 per cent. to be cleared within 13 days.

Our new national programme to get extra help to the poorest pensioners help ensure that claims are properly assessed with minimum delay.

Mr. Duncan Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether the minimum pension guarantee will be uprated in line with(a) earnings and (b) prices. [53167]

Mr. Denham

On 17 July 1998,Official Report, columns 703–05, the Government announced that Income Support rates would be increased by three times the normal price uprating, to give the poorest pensioners a guaranteed minimum income of £75 per week, with couples and older pensioners receiving more.

Future uprating of benefit levels will be considered in the normal way.

Mr. Duncan Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security whether the minimum pension guarantee will be classed as a benefit or as part of the basic state pension. [53168]

Mr. Denham

The guaranteed minimum income will be a benefit.

Mr. Duncan Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to the oral statement of 17 July 1998,Official Report, columns 703–05, concerning payment of the minimum pension guarantee to be made within one week of signature of the form, whether eligibility for this payment will be established before the payment is made. [53166]

Mr. Denham

Clearly, eligibility will be established before the payment is made.

Mr. Duncan Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are the pilot areas for the minimum pension guarantee; how many people are in the target groups for the pilot areas; and what the publication date is for the pilots. [53169]

Mr. Denham

Pilot projects have been running since April in nine areas—East Renfrew, Glasgow, Preston, York, Stroud, South Staffordshire, Torfaen, Torbay and Lambeth. The pilot offices will, between them, be contacting nearly 14,000 pensioners. The results will be evaluated by an independent research company, and we expect to be able to publish the findings early next year.