HC Deb 22 February 1999 vol 326 cc158-9W
Dr. Lynne Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the additional annual cost of the introduction of the guaranteed minimum pension. [71373]

Mr. Timms

The information is in the table.

The estimated additional cost from April 1999 to 2002 (the period covered by the comprehensive spending review settlement) of providing a minimum income guarantee for pensioners
£ million
1999–2000 2000–01 20001–02
Cost of introducing the minimum income guarantee 495 670 840

Note:

The costs include the effect on Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit arising from increasing the rates in line with Income Support, and the additional numbers qualifying for full HB as a result of becoming entitled to the Minimum Income Guarantee.

Dr. Lynne Jones

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the additional annual cost of increasing the state retirement pension to the same level as the guaranteed minimum pension. [71374]

Mr. Timms

I refer my hon. Friend to the written answer my right hon. Friend, the then Minister of State for Social Security, gave my hon. Friend the Member for Newport, West (Mr. Flynn) on 18 November 1998,Official Report, columns 624–25.