HL Deb 19 January 1999 vol 596 c91WA
Earl Russell

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether or to what extent the minimum income guarantee will be unconditionally available to all pensioners. [HL446]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Social Security (Baroness Hollis of Heigham)

The minimum income guarantee will be available to all those pensioners who need it, subject to their means.

Earl Russell

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to paragraph 5.21 of the Green Paper, Partnership in Pensions, whether they will make arrangements for the regular uprating of the savings limits for the minimum income guarantee. [HL448]

Baroness Hollis of Heigham

We recognise that the rules governing treatment of resources can appear unfair to those with modest savings or second pensions. We have made it clear that we would welcome views on the most cost-effective way of tackling this issue with a view to bringing forward proposals later in this Parliament.