HL Deb 02 May 1991 vol 528 cc36-7WA
The Countess of Mar

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Why the Department of Social Security does not take into account the actual income received by claimants for income support who have capital of between £3,000 and £8,000 instead of assuming income from capital, as outlined in the leaflet IS20 supplement A Guide to Income Support.

Lord Henley

The existing procedure is simple to understand and administer, and gives most help to people with the least savings. The formula used produces an income which, even at levels significantly above £3,000, is less than the actual income that would normally be earned if the capital were invested in an interest bearing account.