§ Siobhain McDonaghTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average change in income for pensioners in Mitcham and Morden has been from pension credit; and what the total sum paid to pensioners in the constituency in pension credit has been to date. [189336]
§ Malcolm WicksThe information requested is not available.
In August 2003 there were 2,500 pensioner households in Mitcham and Morden receiving an average amount of £62.25 a week in Minimum Income Guarantee (MIG).
This is not directly comparable with an average amount for pension credit since there are differences between pension credit and MIG that are attributable to a variety of factors. Following the introduction of pension credit in October 2003, some elements of the support previously provided through MIG are now provide through local authority funding for people in care homes, and through tax credits for children. In addition, average pension credit awards are expected to be lower than MIG because a savings credit of up to £15.51 (single) or £20.22 (couples) is available for people with modest incomes above the guarantee level who previously received nothing from MIG.
In August 2004 there were 3,365 pension credit claimants in Mitcham and Morden receiving an average amount of £51.86.
The total sum of pension credit paid to pensioners in Mitcham and Morden between 6 October 2003 and 31 August 2004 is £7.1 million.