HC Deb 23 January 1998 vol 304 cc731-2W
Mr. Gibb

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the percentage uptake in respect of those entitled to receive income support among pensioners in terms of (a) numbers of people and (b) expenditure. [24879]

Mr. Keith Bradley

In 1995–96, the estimated take-up of Income Support by pensioners was between 60 per cent. and 66 per cent. by numbers of people and between 72 per cent. and 78 per cent. by expenditure.

We are determined to get help to those pensioners not claiming their Income Support, and have commissioned research to help find out why they do not claim. From April, we will be running a number of pilot exercises to find out how best to encourage them to claim.

Mr. Gibb

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the percentage uptake in respect of those entitled to receive income support in terms of(a) numbers of people and (b) expenditure. [24878]

Mr. Keith Bradley

In 1995–96, take-up of Income Support was estimated to be between 76 per cent. and 82 per cent. by numbers of people, and between 88 per cent. and 92 per cent. by expenditure.