§ Dr. Lynne JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list those benefits not currently means-tested which will be means-tested in future as a result of the plans he has announced to date. [61423]
§ Mr. TimmsThe proposals in the consultation documents "A new contract for welfare: Support for Disabled People" published on 28 October and "A new contract for welfare: Support in Bereavement" published on 18 November do not cause any benefit which has no current means testing to become means tested. Contributory benefits already contain long-standing rules which take some account of income. Our plans to take 215W some account of occupational and personal pension income over £50 a week for future Incapacity Benefit claims are in line with previous practice in contribution-based Jobseeker's Allowance, and will strike a fairer partnership between State and private provision. No existing claimant at the point of change will be affected.