§ Mr. FlookTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners in the Government Office for the South West Region were eligible for Pension Credit on the latest date for which figures are available; how many eligible pensioners in Taunton were claiming Pension Credit on. the latest date for which figures are available; and how many pensioners in Taunton were claiming the minimum income guarantee prior to the introduction of Pension Credit. [164661]
§ Malcolm WicksWe estimate that there are approximately 300,000 pensioner households in the South West Government Office Region likely to be eligible for Pension Credit, equivalent to approximately 350,000 individuals. As at 29 February there where 3,870 households in the Taunton constituency, comprising approximately 4,615 individuals, receiving Pension Credit. As at 3 October 2003 there were 2,840 households in Taunton, comprising approximately 3,275 individuals, receiving the Minimum Income Guarantee.
Notes:
- 1. Estimates of numbers eligible are rounded to the nearest 50,000.
- 2. Numbers of recipients have been rounded to the nearest five.
- 3. Numbers of recipients of pension credit exclude small numbers of clerical cases.