HC Deb 09 November 1998 vol 319 cc95-6W
Mr. Webb

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate is provided by his Department's Policy Simulation Model of the number of(a) adults and (b) children in benefit units receiving either means-tested benefits or the working families tax credit (i) in 1997–98, (ii) in 1998–99, (iii) in April 1999 after the introduction of the pensioner income guarantee, (iv) in October 1999 after the introduction of the WFTC and (v) once the changes to disability and incapacity benefits announced on 28 October have been fully implemented. [58598]

Angela Eagle

The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is set out in the table. Benefit units may be in receipt of more than one of the benefits shown. Consequently, the sum of the totals will not represent an overall estimate for adults and children on income-related benefits.

Angela Eagle

We will use the single gateway pilots to find out what the costs are of operating such a service. We will then consider national implementation in light of these findings.