§ Mrs. Chalkerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many retirement pensioners in receipt of supplementary pensions receive payment from the Supplementary Benefits Commission in respect of rented accommodation; and what is the average payment by the Commission in respect of such rent.
§ Mr. DeakinsIt is estimated that in May 1976 1,224,000 retirement pensioners receiving supplementary pension were living as tenants in rented accommodation In the calculation of their supplementary pensions the average addition made for rent was £4.98. As supplementary pension is calculated by deducting the claimant's other income from his requirements including rent, the amount of supplementary pension paid is sometimes less than the rent addition.