§ Mr. BercowTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much he has forecast for expenditure on the pension credit in its first full year. [7795]
§ Mr. McCartneyThe Government will publish estimates of the costs of the Pension Credit when the Bill is introduced.
§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many responses to the pension credit consultation document he has received; who they are from; and if he will make them available in the Library. [14312]
§ Mr. McCartneyOver 400 responses were received to the formal consultation exercise (The Pension Credit: A Consultation Paper, Cm4900, November 2000), many welcoming our proposals. We continue to consider views and work closely with groups representing older people 937W to deliver a modernised and dedicated service to meet pensioner needs. We will be announcing our response to the Pension Credit consultation in due course.