HC Deb 31 July 1998 vol 317 cc741-3W
Mr. Webb

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to increase the capital limits for income support. [54176]

Mr. Denham

We have no current plans to do so.

Mr. Webb

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate how many pensioners will become entitled to(a) council tax benefit and (b) housing benefit as a result of the increases in the income support rates applicable from April 1999. [54177]

Mr. Denham

The information is in the table:

Thousand
Year Housing Benefit Council Tax Benefit
1999–00 5 10
2000–01 5 10
2001–02 5 10

Notes:

1. All estimates exclude cases in residential care and nursing homes as insufficient information is available on these cases to be able to accurately model the additional cases who may float-on under the increases

2. Estimates have been based upon latest benefit forecasts, following the changes announced as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review, and information form the 1995–96 Family Resources Survey

3. Cases may gain in more than one benefit, so an overall total cannot be summed across benefits

4. Estimates have been rounded to the nearest 5,000 cases

Mr. Webb

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate how many pensioners will become entitled to income support as a result of the increases in the income support rates applicable from April 1999. [54175]

r. Denham

It is estimated that 65,000 pensioners will become entitled to Income Support in each of the three years covered by the Comprehensive Spending Review as a result of the increases in the rates from April 1999.

Notes: 1. The estimates exclude cases in residential care and nursing homes as insufficient information is available on these cases to be able to accurately model the additional cases who may "float on" as a result of the increases. 2. Estimates have been based on latest Income Support forecasts, following the changes announced as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review, and information from the 1995–96 Family Resources Survey. 3. Estimates have been rounded to the nearest 5,000 cases.

Mr. Webb

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the amount of unclaimed income support by pensioners in the latest year for which figures are available; what would be the amount unclaimed if the expenditure-based take-up rate was applied to the current financial year; and what is his estimate of the additional cost of his proposed income guarantee for pensioners in each of the next three financial years. [54099]

Mr. Denham

The amount of unclaimed Income Support by pensioners in 1995–96 (the latest year for which figures are available) was estimated at between £670 million and £890 million. If the current expenditure-based take up rate (of between 72 per cent. and 78 per cent.) was applied to forecast expenditure for the current financial year, the estimated amount unclaimed would be between £720 million and £990 million. The additional estimated cost of the benefit measures announced on 17 July is in the table:

£ million
CSR total expenditure 1999–2000 2000–01 2001–02
Income Support expenditure 325 475 610
Total for Income-Related Benefits 495 670 840

Notes:

1. All estimates exclude cases in residential care and nursing homes as insufficient information is available on these cases to be able to accurately model the additional cases who may float-on under the increases 2. Estimates have been based upon latest benefit forecasts, following the changes announced as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review, and information from the 1995–6 Family Resources Survey and the publication Income-related benefits—Estimates of take-up in 1995–96 3. Estimates have been rounded to the nearest £5 million

Mr. Webb

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will set targets for the rate of take-up of income support by pensioners to reach(a) 70 per cent., (b) 80 per cent., (c) 90 per cent. and (d) 100 per cent. [54172]

Mr. Denham

The Government are committed to tackling the problem of pensioners living below Income Support levels. This is why we will begin a national programme from next April to identify these pensioners and encourage them to claim.