§ Mr. Roy HughesTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will consider creating a standing committee of representatives of the pensioners' movement together with the Minister and senior civil servants dealing with the areas mainly affecting the retired in social security matters.
§ Mr. Peter LloydI refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my right hon. Friend the Prime Minister on 17 February at column404.
§ Mr. McCrindleTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners have received reduced housing benefit; what this figure is as a percentage of all pensioners since April 1988; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter LloydI regret that the information is not available.
594W
Supplementary benefit (income support from April 1988) to people in independent residential care and nursing homes1 Number of claimants (000's) Average payment (£ per weekcurrent prices) Average payment (£ per weekconstant prices2) Expenditure (£ million current prices) Expenditure (£ million constant prices) February 1986 901 98.11 107.8 459 505 May 1988 147 115.0 115.0 878 878 1 All figures are estimates. 2 Adjusted to May 1988 prices on basis of retail prices index.
§ Mr. McCrindleTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the estimated cost of increasing income support for(a) all pensioners and (b) all beneficiaries by 10 per cent.
§ Mr. Peter LloydThe estimated costs for income support—excluding boarders and residential or nursing home residents—are:—
- (a) £550 million
- (b) £1,300 million
Because of the alignment of income-related benefits, the total costs of such changes would be £850 million and £1,850 million respectively.