§ Dr. Jack CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will set out with statistical information relating as directly as possible to the Copeland constituency, the effect of his Department's policy initiatives and actions since May 1997 on pensioners living in Copeland, indicating(a) the numbers and (b) the percentage of pensioners who have been affected in each case; and if he will make a statement. [150676]
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§ Mr. RookerThe Department's policies and initiatives have made a significant contribution to the Government's overall objective to combat poverty and promote security and independence in retirement at for today's and tomorrow's pensioners.
Older people are disproportionately affected by fuel poverty, so we have introduced Winter Fuel Payments to help with their heaviest fuel bill. This winter, the payment is £200 for households who qualify. Over 14,000 older people in Copeland have received a Winter Fuel Payment for this winter.
To demonstrate our commitment to combating pensioner poverty, this year we will spend £4.5 billion extra in real terms on pensioners. Over 14,000 pensioners in Copeland will benefit from the substantial increases in the basic State pension this April and next; this year's increase is £5 a week for single pensioners and £8 for couples. In addition, we have introduced free TV licences for the over-75s, of whom we estimate there are about 4,700 in Copeland. Around 1,700 pensioner families in Copeland are receiving the Minimum Income Guarantee, which we introduced in April 1999 to help our poorest pensioners. From April they will be at least £15 a week, or £800 a year, better off in real terms as a result of Government measures since 1997.
Other reforms in the pipeline include: the new Pension Credit in 2003, designed to ensure that pensioners benefit from their savings; the launch of Stakeholder Pensions in April this year; and the introduction of the State Second Pension in April 2002, both of which will help provide greater security for tomorrow's pensioners.