§ Mr. Alfred MorrisTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what definition his Department uses of the terms(a) means testing and (b) targeting; and what is his policy towards the use of each.
§ Mrs. Gillian ShephardIncome-related or means-tested benefits are paid to people whose resources are below levels laid down by Parliament and who meet other tests of eligibility. Means testing is, therefore, one of the mechanisms which can be used to establish entitlement. Targeting, which means the effective and responsive provision of extra financial help to groups of people needing particular priority, is an important objective of social security policy. Thus, my right hon. Friend's uprating statement for April 1990,Official Report, 25 October, columns 841–54, continues the policy of targeting worthwhile extra help to groups like the less-well-off among families with children, elderly and disabled pensioners and the long-term sick and disabled.