§ Mr. WebbTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 19 July 1999,Official Report, column 442, on pensioners and income support, if he will make a statement on the progress which has been made to date in increasing take-up of income support by pensioners, and on the timetable for implementation of further measures. [92537]
§ Mr. TimmsI refer the hon. Member to my written answer of 19 July 1999,Official Report, columns 442-43. We will bring forward our plans as soon as possible.
§ Mr. O'HaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage and number of(a) single pensioners, (b) pensioner couples and (c) all pensioner 285W households were dependent on state benefits for at least 75 per cent. of their income in the latest year for which figures are available. [93499]
§ Mr. TimmsThe information is in the table.
Pensioner units with at least 75 per cent. of income from State benefits, 1996–97 Thousand Pensioner unit Percentage Number Single pensioners 56 2,450 Pensioner couples 36 980 All pensioner units 49 3,430 Notes:
- 1. Estimates are rounded to the nearest 10,000 pensioners, although they are not necessarily accurate to that degree.
- 2. A pensioner couple is defined as a couple where the man is over State pension age. A Pensioner Unit is defined as a single person over State pension age or a pensioner couple.
Source:
Family Expenditure Survey 1996–97.
§ Mr. O'HaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list(a) the mean and (b) the median income for (i) single men aged over 65 to 74 years, (ii) single men aged 75 years and over, (iii) single women aged 65 to 74 years, (iv) single women aged 75 years and over, (v) pensioner couples aged 65 to 74 years and (vi) pensioner couples aged 75 years and over for (1) 1979 in the prices for the latest year for which figures are available and (2) the latest year for which prices are available. [93500]
§ Mr. TimmsThe information is in the table.
Pensioners average income by age Mean incomes Median incomes 1979 1996–97 1979 1996–97 Single men Aged 65–74 98 148 81 116 Aged 75 or over 84 134 74 114 Single women Aged 65–74 77 121 70 106 Aged 75 or over 75 126 70 108 Couples Aged 65–74 162 259 134 208 Aged 75 or over 132 226 113 179 Notes:
- 1. All incomes are expressed in £ per week at July 1996 prices.
- 2. Couples are allocated to each age group according to the age of the head of the household.
- 3. Income is defined as net income before housing costs.
- 4. Some estimates, particularly those for single men, are based on small sample sizes, so should be treated with caution.
Source:
Family Expenditure Survey
§ Mr. O'HaraTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage and number of(a) single pension and (b) pensioner couples have a total income of at least £150 per week; and what percentage and number of pensioner couples have a total income of at least (i) £250 per week and (ii) £300 per week in the latest year for which figures are available. [93497]
286W
§ Mr. TimmsThe information is in the tables.
Pensioners with total income of at least £150 per week Single Pensioners Pensioner Couples Percentage 24 74 Number (thousand) 1,060 2,000
Pensioner couples with total income above selected thresholds Total weekly income of at least £250 Total weekly income of at least £300 Percentage 34 22 Number (thousand) 910 599 Notes:
- 1. All incomes are expressed in £ per week at July 1996 prices.
- 2. Income is defined as net income before housing costs.
- 3. Numbers are rounded to the nearest 10,000, although they are not necessarily accurate to that degree.
- 4. Estimates for singles and couples are not directly comparable since incomes have not been adjusted to take account of the number of people in the pensioner unit.
Source:
Family Expenditure Survey, 1996–97