§ Mr. Marlowasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will take action to increase the level of the social security disregard for those approaching retirement.
§ Mr. NewtonWe have no plans to introduce any special disregards for those approaching retirement. As my hon. Friend will be aware, we are increasing the supplementary benefit capital disregard for all claimants from £2,500 to £3,000 from November. At the same time we are introducing a special disregard of the first £1,500 of the value of life insurance policies. These measures will help a number of claimants approaching retirement who are not at present entitled to benefit because their savings exceed the limit.