§ Mr. Andrew BowdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security when he intends to bring forward a consultative document on equalisation of the state pension age.
§ Miss WiddecombeI refer my hon. Friend to the statement made to the House by my right hon. Friend, the Secretary of State on 26 June at column997–1006.
§ Mr. Andrew BowdenTo ask the Secretary of Slate for Social Security what his latest estimate is of the number of pensioners who both pay income tax and receive housing benefit.
§ Miss WiddecombeThe number of those aged 60 or over in Great Britain who pay income tax and recieve housing benefit is estimated to be 110,000 during 1991–92.
Source: Modelled using data drawn from the 1986, 1987 and 1988 Family Expenditure Surveys.Note: Married and unmarried couples count as one unit.
§ Mr. Andrew BowdenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what would be the number of pensioners who received housing benefit and paid income tax if the income tax age allowances were increased by(a) £500 and (b) £1,000 at current benefit levels.
§ Miss WiddecombeThe number of those aged 60 or over in Great Britain who would receive housing benefit and pay income tax in 1991–92 if the income tax age allowances were increased is estimated as follows:
£ Income tax allowance increased by 500—80,000 Income tax allowance increased by 1,000—70,000 Source: Modelled using data drawn from the 1986, 1987 and 1988 Family Expenditure Surveys.
Note: Married and unmarried couples count as one unit.