§ Mr. BlunkettTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will show the effects of reducing the community charge benefit taper to(a) 12.5 per cent., (b) 10 per cent., (c) 8 per cent., (d) 6 per cent., and (e) 5 per cent., by showing for each of these tapers the cost. at 1990–91 prices of paying community charge benefit to each of the following categories of income units, showing for each category how many income units he estimates would receive community charge benefit (i) all income units, (ii) single people over pensionable age, (iii) pensioner couples, (iv) single people with dependent children, (v) single people without dependent children, (vi) a married or cohabiting couple without dependent children, (vii) a married or cohabiting couple with dependent children, and (viii) any income units not included in the categories above.
§ Miss Widdecombe[holding answer 13 June 1991]: The information requested is in the tables.
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Estimated community charge benefit caseload and expenditure with various levels of the community charge benefit taper (1991–92 benefit levels with expenditure estimates revalued to 1990–91 prices) Total cost £ million Caseload number 15 per cent. benefit taper Single pensioners 360 2,160,000 Pensioner couples 220 870,000 Lone parents 140 740,000 Single, no children 290 1,700,000 Couple, no children 70 270,000 Couple with children 180 540,000 TOTAL 1,260 6,270,000 12.5 per cent. benefit taper Single pensioners 380 2,180,000 Pensioner couples 240 900,000 Lone parents 140 740,000 Single, no children 300 1,710,000 Couple, no children 80 270,000 Couple with children 190 560,000 TOTAL 1,330 6,360,000 10 per cent benefit taper Single pensioners 390 2,220,000 Pensioner couples 270 950,000 Lone parents 140 750,000 Single no children 310 1,740,000 Couple no children 80 290,000
Total cost £ million Caseload number Couple with children 200 600,000 Total 1,410 6,550,000 8 per cent benefit taper Single pensioners 410 2,270,000 Pensioner couples 300 1,010,000 Lone parents 150 770,000 Single no children 320 1,800,000 Couple no children 90 310,000 Couple with children 230 670,000 Total 1,490 6,830,000 6 per cent. benefit taper Single pensioners 430 2,340,000 Pensioner couples 330 1,090,000 Lone parents 150 800,000 Single no children 340 1,920,000 Couple no children 100 360,000 Couple with children 270 840,000 Total 1,630 7,350,000 5 per cent. benefit taper Single pensioners 440 2,380,000 Pensioner couples 360 1,150,000 Lone parents 160 810,000 Single no children 360 2,050,000 Couple no children 120 410,000 Couple with children 310 1,000,000 Total 1,750 7,800,000 Notes:
(1) Information is derived from benefit levels on a 1991–92 basis but expenditure estimates have been revalued to 1990–91 prices.
Estimates also take account of the Community Charge Reductions scheme for 1991–92 and the general reduction of £140 in Community Charge levels.
Source:
Modelled using data drawn from the 1986/7/8 Family Expenditure Surveys.
The definition of "pensioner" is in line with that used by the income related benefits.
Caseload figures include benefit units, and count benefit cases for couples as one.