§ Mr. ChaytorTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions when the £10 earnings disregard for war disablements pensioners in receipt of income support was last uprated; and what has been the cumulative increase in the retail price index since that date. [86311]
§ Malcolm Wicks[holding answer 12 December 2002]: Income Support is intended to help people whose resources are insufficient to meet their day-to-day living expenses. Any income that is available to meet those expenses is normally taken fully into account. However there is a special disregard in the income-related benefits in respect of War Disablement Pension which was increased from £5 to £10 in April 1990. In addition, payments made to war disabled pensioners for their attendance or mobility needs are also disregarded in the calculation of Income Support entitlement.
We believe that the current disregard strikes the right balance between acknowledging the special reasons for these pensions and prudent use of public funds.
Between April 1990 and October 2002 the percentage increase in the all items retail price index has been 42.2 per cent. Income Support allowances are generally uprated using the Rossi Index which has increased by 42.8 per cent. over the same period.