§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what increase she estimates in the number of persons eligible for supplementary benefit as a result of the changes in scale rates from 17th November;
(2)what is her estimate of the number of pensioners who will become eligible for supplementary benefit as a result of the increase in capital disregards from 17th November;
(3)what is her estimate of the increase in the number of families of working age 534W eligible for supplementary benefit as a result of the changes in capital disregard.
§ Mr. O'MalleyAn increase in scale rates is usually accompanied by increases in insurance benefit entitlement, some of which exceed scale rate increases. The normal experience at an uprating is that the number of persons entitled to supplementary benefit is slightly reduced. As, however, changes in disregards of income and capital are to take effect at the same time, this occasion could well provide an exception to the normal experience, but there is no information on which to base an estimate of the overall effect.
§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is her latest estimate derived from 1974 FES data of the number of pensioners and pensioner households not claiming supplementary benefit in Great Britain, Scotland, Wales and the English regions.
§ Mr. O'MalleyMy hon. Friend's reply to the hon. Member on 14th July—[Vol. 895, c.371–4.]—included an estimate based on 1973 family expenditure survey data that there were 690,000 pensioner households, comprising 860,000 pensions, with incomes below their supplementary benefit level. The corresponding estimate derived from the 1974 survey data indicates that there were then 450,000 such households, comprising 550,000 persons, with incomes below that level. The reduction is attributed in the main to increases in the numbers of pensioners 535W with rate rebates—following the introduction of a new scheme—and rent rebates. Separate estimates for Scotland, Wales and the English regions are not available.
§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many persons on supplementary benefit have transferred to injury benefit at the last count.
§ Mr. O'MalleyNo count is in fact made of persons on supplementary benefit who transfer to injury benefit.
§ Mr. Adam Butlerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if the payment of supplementary benefits is subject to the limitations of the Government's pay policy both in regard to no increases within 12 months of an earlier rise and to the £6 limit.
§ Mr. O'MalleyThe pay policy has no direct effect on supplementary benefits. Where a recipient's circumstances change, his entitlement is revised up or down in accordance with the Supplementary Benefit Act and regulations.