§ Mr. DawsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if she will estimate the cost of establishing a common minimum pension for men and women at 60 years including a breakdown of both costs and savings. [41981]
§ Mr. Denham[holding answer 18 May 1998]The information is set out in the table.
The cost of paying a basic State pension of £64.70 to every GB resident aged 60 £billion Gross Retirement Pension cost 40 National Insurance (contributory) benefit offsets -31.5 Means-tested benefit offsets -1.5 Net cost 7 Notes:
1. Costs and savings are in 1998/99 prices and are rounded to the nearest £0.5 billion. (-) denotes a saving.
2. National Insurance benefit costs and savings have been provided by the Government Actuary's Department.
3. Behavioural changes have not been allowed for, other than moves between National Insurance benefits.
§ Mr.ÖpikTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans she has, when reviewing the level of112W the basic state pension, to take account of the rises in the levels of fuel tax and council tax in 1998–99; and if she will make a statement. [42662]
§ Mr. DenhamWe are committed to retain the basic State pension as the foundation of pension provision in retirement, and to increase it at least in line with prices.
The Retail Prices Index used to uprate the basic pension takes into account increases in the price of a wide range of goods and services, including fuel and council tax.
Pensioners with low incomes are entitled to help with their Council Tax through Council Tax Benefit.