Pensioners (Hansard, 13 November 2000)

§ 26. Mr. Blizzard
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to increase the income of pensioners who have modest second pensions. [136133]

§ Mr. Rooker
The Pension Credit will increase the incomes of those with modest second pensions, by ensuring that these savings are rewarded.
We published our proposals for the Pension Credit last week.

§ 29. Dr. Julian Lewis
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will make a statement on poverty among pensioners living in rural areas. [136136]

§ Mr. Rooker
We know that many pensioners, including those living in rural areas, experience poverty. That is why we have a broad strategy, which includes raising the minimum income guarantee to £92.15 from next April, and an above earnings increase in the basic State pension.

§ 33. Mr. Baldry
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what percentage of those of pensionable age receive no pension other than their State Retirement Pension. [136141]

§ Mr. Rooker
Just over 60 per cent. of pensioner families receive an occupational or other private pension on top of their State Pension. The remaining 40 per cent. do not, but many of them receive other income instead. in 1998–99, single pensioners in this group had an average net income of £117 a week although the basic State Pension was only £64.70; the figures for couples are £206 and £103.40 respectively. The State Earnings Related Pension Scheme (SERPS) plays a role in increasing State Retirement Pension above the basic State Pension.

§ Dr. Julian Lewis
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has made of the impact on the standard of living of pensioners having awarded them an additional 75 pence per week. [136258]

§ Mr. Rooker
The increase in the basic State Retirement Pension in April 2000 was based on price inflation during the relevant period. The hon. Member will be aware that the living standard of the poorest pensioners was increased by raising the Minimum Income Guarantee by £3.45 for pensioners aged 60-75. However, pensioners will also receive a Winter Fuel Payment of £200 this year, which equates to just under £2 a week more than the previous year (when it was £100), and pensioners over age 75 will receive a free TV licence, which is worth a further £2 a week.
In addition, my right hon. Friend the Chancellor of the Exchequer has just announced a further package of measures for pensioners which, when taken together with changes already in place, will mean that next year, pensioner households will, on average, be £11 a week better off compared with 1997, with the poorest being at least £15 better off in real terms.
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§ Mr. Viggers
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what proportion of the amounts paid in benefits to pensioners are means tested. [136107]

§ Mr. Rooker
In 2000–01 an estimated 19 per cent. of benefits paid to pensioners were means tested. This compares with over 21 per cent. of benefits in 1996–97.

§ 31. Mr. Wilkinson
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what recent representations he has received on pensioners' reactions to the Government's 75p per week pension increase. [136138]

§ Mr. Rooker
We have received numerous representations regarding pensions since the uprating statement in November 1999. These have come from pensioners, pensioner organisations, voluntary organisations and right hon. and hon. Members.
The Government have listened to these representations.