HC Deb 18 November 1996 vol 285 c451W
Ms. Corston

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners receiving income support as an addition to their income would not be eligible for such support if the basic retirement pension had been increased annually in accordance with earnings since 1980; and what percentage of basic retirement pensioners received supplementary benefit income support in (i) 1979 and (ii) 1995. [3050]

Mr. Heald

It is estimated that some 830,000 benefit units would no longer be eligible for income support in addition to retirement pension if the retirement pension had been increased annually in accordance with earnings since 19801. The estimate increases to 850,000 benefit units if RP had continued to be increased in accordance with the higher of earnings or prices since 1980.

It is estimated that around 22 per cent. of basic retirement pensioners were in benefit units in receipt of supplementary benefit in 1979. The equivalent figure in 1995 for income support is 15 per cent2.

Note: Benefit units may be a single person or a couple, plus any dependent children. Either the claimant, their partner, or both claimant and partner may be in receipt of retirement pension.

Sources:

  1. 1. Income support simulation model based on the Income Support Quarterly Statistical Enquiry May 1995 uprated to 1996–7 prices and caseloads. Estimate rounded to the nearest 10,000.
  2. 2. Data from the Supplementary Benefit Statistics Annual Enquiry 1979, Income Support Quarterly Statistical Enquiry November 1995, retirement pension statistics November 1979 and September 1995. The estimate is rounded to nearest whole number.