§ Mr. Andrew BowdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will give the number of claimants aged 60 years or over who will become eligible for income support as a result of the increase in the capital limit to £3,000.
§ Mr. ScottThe capital limit for income support is to be increased from £3,000 to £6,000. It is estimated that 10,000 people aged over 60 will receive income support as a result of this increase.
§ Mr. Andrew BowdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his latest estimate of the number of claimants of income support who will be entitled to (i) the pensioner premium, (ii) the higher pensioner premium and (iii) the severe disability premium.
§ Mr. ScottThe information is as follows:
Number (i) Pensioner premium 1,120,000 (ii) Higher pensioner premium 595,000 (iii) Severe disability premium 7,000