§ Ms. RuddockTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what efforts are being made to encourage people eligible for transitional payments who have not yet made a claim.
§ Mr. Peter LloydI refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Newham, North-West (Mr. Banks) on 24 October at columns59–60. As my right hon. Friend has recently announced, applications for transitional payments will be accepted up to 31 March 1989 and all applications received up to that date will be backdated to April 1988 if successful.
§ Mr. Robin CookTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many claimants will not have their benefits uprated next April as a result of being in receipt of transitional protection.
§ Mr. Peter LloydLatest estimates suggest that about 500,000 beneficiaries will receive no increase in their benefit next April as a result of transitional protection.
§ Mr. SternTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if, pursuant to his reply of 1 November on the subject of housing benefit transitional payments, he will list those local authorities for which adequate information is awaited in more than 25 cases in order for payment to be made.
§ Mr. Peter LloydI regret that the information requested is not available.
§ Mr. ClayTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people he estimates will be receiving transitional protection in 1989–90; and at what cost.
§ Mr. Peter LloydLatest estimates suggest that about 500,000 income support recipients will be receiving transitional protection after next April. Detailed costs will not be available until after the publication of the 1989 public expenditure White Paper.