§ Mr. RammellTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what financial provision he expects to make in the financial year 1999–2000 for(a) administration of income support and (b) means-testing of social security benefits in relation to pensioner claimants. [70257]
§ Angela EagleExpenditure on the administration of Income Support for all client groups for 1999–2000 is estimated by the Benefits Agency to be £259.6 million. Of this total, it is estimated £71.3 million will be expenditure on the administration of pensioner cases.
Estimated programme expenditure for the main means-tested benefits claimed by pensioners for the period 1999–2000 £ billion Benefit Amount Income Support (Minimum Income Guarantee) 4.0 Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit 5.5 Notes:
1. The figures on administrative costs exclude payment for postage, encashment charges, accommodation costs office service contracts, computer infrastructure charges and other central service costs. Information on these overheads apportioned by benefit is not routinely available.
2. Figures on programme expenditure are consistent with those published in the November 1998 Pre-Budget Report.
3. For the purposes of Income Support, Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit, the term "pensioner" refers to a single person aged 60 or over, or a couple where one or both members is aged 60 or over.