§ 13. Mr. JackTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners in Fylde will benefit from the new benefits package announced last November.
§ Mr. Peter LloydThe new package will benefit some 2.6 million pensioners across the country. I regret that I am unable to provide separate figures for my hon. Friend's constituency.
§ 36. Mr. Robert HicksTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he has any plans to improve the financial position of the retired and others dependent upon fixed incomes no longer entitled to benefit entitlements following the recent changes in the arrangements for social security payments and housing benefit; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Peter LloydWe undertook to monitor the effects of the reforms and as a result have already acted to improve the benefit position of certain vulnerable groups. Last April we acted quickly to raise the capital limit for housing benefit to £8,000 bringing 100,000 people (nearly all pensioners) back into benefit. Recently we announced further help for two particular groups. From October there will be improvements in income support and housing benefit for older and disabled pensioners; including husbands and wives some 2.6 million people will be better off as a result. From July certain 16 and 17-year-olds will benefit from changes to the income support rules and all 16 and 17-year-olds receiving housing benefit only will see an improvement in their benefit position.
§ 46. Mr. ButlerTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the average level of Government financial support for pensioners in(a) the United Kingdom and (b) the European Community.
§ 49. Mr. SummersonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the average level of Government support for pensioners(a) in the United Kingdom and (b) in the European Community.
§ Mr. Peter LloydSocial security spending in the United Kingdom on the elderly is currently approximately 5 per cent. of gross domestic product. Comparable figures for the other member states of the European Community are not available.
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§ 50. Mr. WolfsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many men and women who will reach retirement age on or after 1 October will benefit from the abolition of the retirement pensions earnings rule.
§ Mr. Peter LloydThere are three main catetgories of people who will benefit from the abolition of the retirement pension earnings rule. Individuals who reach pension age on or after 1 October will be able to choose to receive their retirement pension and earn as much as they can, with no reduction in their state retirement pension. There are 200,000 individuals currently deferring receipt of their retirement pension and a further 2,500 individuals whose retirement pension is currently reduced because of earnings over £75 a week who will benefit. In addition, there are about 200,000 individuals who currently earn less than £75 a week who may choose from 1 October to earn more, plus a large number of people who are not earning at present who may now choose to start earning.