§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what levels of take-up of Income Support for pensioners are assumed in current forecasts of expenditure. [99942]
§ Mr. Rooker[holding answer 2 December 1999]Estimates of take-up levels are difficult to forecast. Our current estimates are derived from the Family Resource Survey and show that for 1997–98 between 71 per cent. and 85 per cent. of pensioners by expenditure claimed the Income Support to which they are entitled. Current caseload forecasts assume that an additional 43,000 pensioners will take up their entitlement during the forecasting period. This estimate will need to be reviewed in the light of our plans for a national programme to increase pensioner take-up.