HC Deb 19 December 2000 vol 360 cc100-1W
Mrs. Curtis-Thomas

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) how many(a) women over the age of 60 years and (b) men over the age of 65 years were in receipt of Income Support in each month since May 1997; [143391]

(2) how many (a) women over the age of 60 years and (b) men over the age of 65 years were in receipt of the Minimum Income Guarantee in each month since its introduction. [143392]

Mr. Rooker

[holding answer 18 December 2000]: The information is in the table.

Income Support/Minimum Income Guarantee recipients by age and gender, May 1997 to August 2000
Quarter Men aged 65 and over Women aged 60 and over
May 1997 358.7 1,173.9
August 1997 357.9 1,168.7
November 1997 354.2 1,159.5
February 1998 350.7 1,146.3
May 1998 341.5 1,131.5
August 1998 338.7 1,125.9
November 1998 336.4 1,118.2
February 1999 331.3 1,101.7
May 1999 334.6 1,102.2
August 1999 337.7 1,101.1
November 1999 338.0 1,098.4
February 2000 333.5 1,082.2
May 2000 338.3 1,087.0
August 2000 346.0 1,100.6

Notes:

1. Figures are based on a 5 per cent. sample and are therefore subject to a degree of sampling error.

2. Figures are rounded to the nearest hundred.

3. Pensioner figures refer to male claimants aged 65 and over, and female claimants aged 60 and over.

4. Minimum Income Guarantee commenced in April 1999.

Source:

Income Support Quarterly Statistical Enquiries, May 1997 to August 2000

The table shows a downward trend until May 1999 due to pensioners receiving higher average retirement incomes. The down yard trend was halted at this point due to the introduction of the Minimum Income Guarantee and its more generous uprating formula.

Mr. Willetts

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners have applied (a) successfully and (b) unsuccessfully for the Minimum Income Guarantee since the start of the take-up campaign in each Benefits Agency area. [143524]

Mr. Rooker

The effect of the Minimum Income Guarantee take-up campaign will not be known until it comes to a conclusion. There are thousands more claims in the pipeline, and the effects of the last stage of the campaign will impact on claims processed up to January next year.