§ Mr. Frank FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to review the operation of the Social Security (Overlapping Benefits) Regulations 1979, particularly in respect of the legislation giving entitlement to the higher pensioner premium; and whether it is proposed that the effect of the Overlapping Benefits Regulations should be disregarded for the purposes of assessing whether a qualifying benefit is paid.
§ Mr. BurtWe have no plans to review the relationship between the Social Security (Overlapping Benefits) Regulations 1979 and entitlement to income support premiums. For the purposes of maintaining entitlement to the higher pensioner premium, in common with other premiums, a person can be treated as being in receipt of any benefit which would be payable if it were not for the provisions of the overlapping benefits regulations.