HC Deb 13 April 1989 vol 150 cc682-3W
Mr. Kirkwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations he has received regarding the financial impact suffered by claimants whose annual uprating has been nullified by loss of transitional protection.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

Various representations have been received on this subject.

Mr. Kirkwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the numbers of claimants in each benefit category expected to receive no cash increase after the payment of their annual benefit uprating in the current year.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

We estimated that some 3,840,000 income support claimants will receive an increase at this year's uprating. The estimated number of claimants receiving no increase, by client group, is as follows:

Number
Pensioners 80 + 40,000
Pensioners 60–79 180,000
All pensioners 220,000
Sick or disabled 20,000
Lone parents 40,000
Couples with children 10,000
Others 300,000
Total 1590,000
1 Figures do not sum due to rounding.

Mr. Kirkwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what savings will accrue to public funds by clawing back benefit uprating by withdrawal of transitional protection.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

Precise information is not available. Had income support transitional additions not been reduced by increases at uprating, the estimated additional cost in the year 1989–90 would have been around £100 million.

Mr. Kirkwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what research his Department has undertaken to investigate the effect of the loss of transitional protection on claimants; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

We are monitoring all aspects of the reformed social security system. Information about transitional protection will be available from our usual stastistical returns.