Means-tested Benefits

HC Deb 22 October 1971 vol 823 cc213-4W

Miss Lestor

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will set up an inquiry into the whole field of means-tested benefits.

Sir K. Joseph

No. The Government have already taken steps to improve various means-tested schemes—notably by making benefits available to more people and extending the "passport" system to make recipients of family income supplement eligible for other benefits without a further means test. We have, moreover, greatly improved take-up of several benefits after a successful advertising campaign. Means-testing is only one way of giving help to those who need it and the subject will continue to be studied in the wider context of our examination of the subject of family poverty generally.