§ 15. Mr. GerrardTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his latest estimate of the number of pensioners who are entitled to but are not claiming(a) income support and (b) housing benefit; and if he will estimate the total amount that is not claimed. [20134]
§ Mr. Roger EvansThe latest estimates indicate that in 1992, between 480,000 and 860,000 pensioners may not take up entitlement to income support, worth up to a maximum of £610 million or 30 per cent. of available benefit. The comparable figures for housing benefit are between 260,000 and 340,000 and unclaimed benefit worth up to £300 million or 10 per cent. of available benefit.