§ Mr. Paul MarsdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners in(a) Shrewsbury and Atcham and (b) Shropshire will benefit from the minimum income guarantee increases in April 2001; and if he will make a statement. [123096]
§ Mr. BayleyWe estimate that some 8,000 pensioner households in Shropshire will benefit from increases to the minimum income guarantee in April 2001. This includes 3,000 in the constituency of Shrewsbury and Atcham.
§ Mr. FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security of those pensioners who are excluded from gaining the minimum income guarantee because of(a) ownership of excess capital, (b) receipt of an occupational pension and (c) both ownership of excess capital and an occupational pension, however many and 619W what proportion have a total income or calculated income (i) £0–£5 above, (ii) £5 to £10, (iii) £10 to £15 and (iv) £15 to £20 above the minimum income guarantee. [121621]
§ Mr. Bayley[holding answer 11 May 2000]: The information is in the tables.
Income in relation to the minimum income guarantee Caseload (000s) Percentage The total number of pensioners who would no longer be excluded if all capital rules were removed, and the percentage in different income bands Below MIG levels 40 7 £0 to £5 40 8 £5 to £10 40 7 £10 to £15 20 4 £15 to £20 20 3 £20+ 330 70 Total 480 100 The total number of pensioners who would no longer excluded if all income from occupational pensions was disregarded, and the percentage in different income bands Below MIG levels 0 0 £0 to £5 100 9 £5 to £10 80 7 £10 to £15 70 6 £15 to £20 80 7 £20+ 790 70 Total 1,120 100 The total number of pensioners no longer be excluded if both polices are removed, and the percentage in different income bands Below MIG levels> 40 2 £0 to £5 130 8 £5 to £10 120 7 £10 to £15 90 6 £15 to £20 90 6 £20+ 1,120 71 Total 1,580 100 Notes:
1. This question has been answered using the Policy Simulation Model (PSM) for Income-Related benefits, based on 1997–98 Family Resources Survey data This is uprated to 2000–01 prices and benefit levels.
£ million Expenditure1 1995–96 1996–99 1997–99 1998–99 1999–2000 Christmas Bonus—contributory2 124 129 123 124 120 Christmas Bonus—non-contributory 15 15 16 16 16 Total 139 144 139 140 137 1Figures are consistent with Table 1 of the Social Security Departmental Report 2000 (Cm 4614) 2Expenditure paid from the National Insurance Fund Notes:
1 Figures may not sum due to rounding