HC Deb 12 July 1989 vol 156 cc506-7W
Mr. Andrew Bowden

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when income support applicable amounts are increased in October 1989 how many(a) single pensioners and (b) pensioner couples on income support will receive an increase in weekly benefit of the same or less than the transitional addition awarded to them in April 1988.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

The estimates are:

  1. (a) 100,000
  2. (b) 20,000

The increases for income support recipients in October will be paid on top of any transitional additions.

Mr. Andrew Bowden

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many(a) single pensioners and (b) pensioner couples will become newly entitled to income support when the applicable amounts are raised in October.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

We estimate that 40,000 single pensioners and 20,000 pensioner couples will become new recipients of income support in October.

Mr. Andrew Bowden

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioner couples in receipt of income support will receive an increase in benefit of £3.50 a week when the applicable amount is increased in October.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

An estimated 140,000.

Mr. Andrew Bowden

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many single pensioners in receipt of income support will receive an increase in benefit of £2.50 a week when the applicable amount is increased in October.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

An estimated 730,000.

Mr. Andrew Bowden

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security on what basis the applicable amounts for single pensioners and pensioner couples were uprated to £2.50 and £3.50, respectively, with effect from October; and what factors were taken into consideration in making this uprating.

Mr. Peter Lloyd

I refer my hon. Friend to the announcement made by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State on 24 November at columns 241–51.