§ Mr. ChopeTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of pensioner households paid more than 10 per cent. of their household income in council tax in(a) 1999–2000 and (b) 1998–99. [147827]
§ Mr. RookerThe requested information is not available for 1999–2000. The information for 1998–99 is as follows.
It is estimated that 6 per cent. of pensioner households were liable to pay more than 10 per cent. of their gross income in council tax after Council Tax Benefit has been taken into account.
Notes:
1. Pensioner households are defined as any household containing a single person over state pension age (65 for men and 65 for women) or a couple (married or cohabiting) where the man is over state pension age.
2. Estimates "after taking account of Council Tax Benefit" use gross (pre-tax) income excluding Council Tax Benefit/rebates, and use council tax liability net of discounts and net of Council Tax Benefit/rebate.
3. Gross (pre-tax) income and council tax payments have been estimated at the household level. Therefore amounts will include income /payments from all (if any) non-pensioners living in the household.
Source:
Family Resources Survey 1998–99.