§ 15. Mr. Gordon PrenticeTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will make a statement on the take-up of the minimum income guarantee in Pendle in the last six months. [19156]
§ Mr. McCartneyThere are about 2,900 people in receipt of minimum income guarantee in the constituency of Pendle. Nationally, as a result of the national take up campaign over 120,000 more pensioners are now receiving an extra £20 a week. Overall, during the last three years we have provided an extra £12.5 billion to pensioners through the minimum income guarantee.
§ 18. Laura MoffattTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what measures his Department has taken to monitor uptake of the minimum income guarantee since the introduction of the shortened application form. [19159]
§ Mr. McCartneyA variety of statistical information will inform our judgment on the success of our new, much improved and shorter minimum income guarantee claim form.
As a result of the national take up campaign, over 120,000 more pensioners are now receiving an extra £20 a week.
There are 2,200 pensioners in receipt of minimum income guarantee in the constituency of Crawley.
Overall, during the last three years we have provided an extra £12.5 billion to pensioners through the minimum income guarantee.
§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the earnings disregard is in the calculation of the pensioners' minimum income guarantee; and how the disregard has changed since the introduction of the guarantee. [20293]
§ Mr. McCartney[holding answer 5 December 2001]: The earnings disregard is £5 for single pensioners and £10 for couples. In certain circumstances, concerning the receipt of particular premiums or engagement in a special occupation, the disregard may be £20 a week. These disregards have not changed since the introduction of the minimum income guarantee.
We are continuing to consider the treatment of earnings in the pension credit.