§ Mr. KirkwoodTo ask the Prime Minister what further steps she proposes to make additional financial provision for pensioners whose sole income is provided by their state pension.
§ The Prime MinisterMost such pensioners are already entitled to additional help through income support, 385W housing benefit and community charge benefit. Pensioners have a higher entitlement to these benefits through the pensioner premiums, which were increased earlier this month and will continue to be reviewed annually. In addition, a special increase in the premiums made in October 1989 has given extra help totalling £200 million a year to over 2.5 million less well0-off disabled and older pensioners.