HC Deb 13 December 1982 vol 34 cc54-5W
Mr. Foulkes

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will estimate the number of pensioners (a) receiving rent or rate rebates, (b) receiving help with housing costs from supplementary benefit, (c) who own their homes outright and (d) who are buying their homes on a mortgage; and if he will express these figures as a percentage of the total pensioner population.

Sir George Young

[pursuant to his reply 6 December 1982, c. 401.]

Broad estimates for England and Wales are as follows:

Number (millions) Percentage of all householders over pensionable age.
Householders over pensionable age
(a) receiving rent rebate or allowance and/or rate rebate * 2.2 43
(b) receiving help with housing costs from supplementary benefit ‡ 1.5 29
(c) owning their own homes outright† 2.4 46
(d) owning their homes on mortgage‡ 0.1 2
Notes:
* Estimates for financial year 1980/81 derived from Family Expenditure Survey
† Estimate for December 1981 from DHSS annual statistical enquiry
‡ Estimates from Labour Force Survey 1981