§ Mr. Matthew TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the cost of raising the basic State Pension(a) to the level of income support, (b) by £5 per week, and (c) by £10 per week. [106516]
§ Mr. RookerThe information is in the table:
Estimated cost of raising the basic State Pension, including linked benefits for 2000–01 £million Gross Net To minimum income guarantee level 6,280 4,830 By £5 per week 2,870 2,200 By £10 per week 5,740 4,410 Notes:
1. Gross estimates have been provided by the Government Actuary's Department.
2. For part (a), the full Category A rate of pension has been raised to the level of the Minimum Income Guarantee for a single pensioner aged 60–74 (£78.45 per week in 2000–01). Other categories of State Pension have been increased pro-rata.
3. For parts (b) and (c), the increases shown apply to the full Category A rate. Other categories of State Pension have been increased pro-rata.
4. Means-tested benefit offsets have been estimated using the Income Support Simulation Model and the Policy Simulation Model.
5. Estimates are in 1999–2000 prices and are rounded to the nearest £10 million.
§ Mr. Matthew TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the cost of introducing a top up on the basic state pension of(a) £3 at age 75 years and £5 at age 80 years and (b) £5 at age 75 years and £10 at age 80 years. [106518]
86W
§ Mr. RookerThe information is in the table.
Estimated cost of introducing a top up on the basic state retirement pension for 2000–01 £ million Gross Net 3 per week for ages 75–79, £5 per week for ages 80 and over 940 640 £5 per week for ages 75–79, £10 per week for ages 80 and over 1,810 1,220 Notes:
1. Gross estimates have been provided by the Government Actuary's Department.
2. Age-related increases are assumed to be paid in full irrespective of the proportion of the full Category A rate of basic state pension received.
3. Means-tested benefit offsets have been estimated using the Income Support Simulation Model and the Policy Simulation Model.
4. Estimates are in 1999–2000 prices and are rounded to the nearest £10 million.
§ Mr. Matthew TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the cost of raising the over 80 top-up on the state pension from 25 pence per week to(a) £5 per week, (b) £10 per week, and (c) £15 per week; and if he will make a statement. [106517]
§ Mr. RookerThe information is in the table.
Estimated cost of raising the age addition to the basic state retirement pension for 2000–01 £million Gross Net £5 per week 620 390 £10 per week 1,280 810 £15 per week 1,930 1,270 Notes:
1. Gross estimates have been provided by the Government Actuary's Department.
2. Age-related increases are assumed to be paid in full irrespective of the proportion of the full Category A rate of basic state pension received.
3. Means-tested benefit offsets have been estimated using the Income Support Simulation Model and the Policy Simulation Model.
4. Estimates are in 1999–2000 prices and are rounded to the nearest £10 million.
§ Mr. Matthew TaylorTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many recipients of the basic state pension are aged(a) under 75 years, (b) 75 years and over, and (c) 80 years and over; and if he will make a statement. [106519]
§ Mr. RookerThe information is in the table.
Number of recipients in Great Britain and overseas in receipt of the basic state retirement pension at 31 March 1999 Million Age under 75 6.3 Age 75 and over 4.5 Age 80 and over 2.4 Note:
Figures are rounded to the nearest hundred thousand
Source:
5 per cent. sample from the Pension Strategy Computer System