§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the cost of introducing a 100 per cent. rebate for community charge payers on income support and equivalent incomes in 1992–93, assuming that no compensatory reduction is made to benefit levels.
§ Miss WiddecombeExpenditure on community charge benefit is affected by the community charge levels set by local authorities. The latest estimate is that the cost of introducing 100 per cent. rebates for people on income support or equivalent incomes in 1992–93 would be around £500 million. A maximum community charge benefit of 100 per cent. of the liability would affect all people receiving community charge benefit, including those on income support and equivalent incomes.
Source: Expenditure modelled using data drawn from the 1986–87–88 Family Expenditure Surveys at 1991–92 prices and benefits.
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§ Mr. McGradyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will carry out a review of the present income maintenance system for pensioners;
(2) whether the review of the present income maintenance system for pensioners will include the removal of direct and indirect negative discrimination on grounds of age and sex.
§ Miss WiddecombeWe have no plans to carry out such a review. The discussion document "Options for Equality in State Pension Age" published today, sets out information on equalising pension ages.