§ 31. Dr. NaysmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to help the poorest pensioners; and if he will outline a timetable for introducing the new measures. [88058]
§ Mr. TimmsWe have already announced that next April the minimum income guarantee, delivered through Income Support, will rise in line with earnings, demonstrating our determination that the least well-off pensioners should share in rising national prosperity.
We are currently considering options for encouraging more pensioners to claim the Income Support they are entitled to. We are also looking at ways in which the rules on the treatment of savings can be changed to better reward those pensioners who have managed to save a modest amount for their retirement.
We will be bringing forward our plans on these measures in due course.