§ Mr. HillTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage and number of(a) single pensioners and (b) pensioner couples have a total income 94W of at least £125 per week; and what percentage and number of pensioner couples have a total of income of at least (i) £200 per week and (ii) £250 per week. [2122]
§ Mr. DenhamWe are examining ways of getting more help to the poorest pensioners.
The information is in the tables.
Pensioner couples and single pensioners, with income of at least £125 pw Number percentage of pensioner units Single pensioners 1,450,000 33 (singles) Pensioner couples 2,450,000 91 (couples)
Pensioner couples only Number Percentage of pensioner units Income at least £200 per week 1,250,000 47 Income at least £250 per week 800,000 30 Source:
Pensioners' Incomes Series 1994–95.
Notes:
1. The information is based on gross unequivalised income before housing costs at July 1994 prices. Numbers of "pensioner units" are rounded to the nearest 50,000.
2. A pensioner unit is defined as a single person over State Pension Age (SPA) or a couple where the man, defined as the head, is over SPA.