HC Deb 08 February 2001 vol 362 cc696-7W
Miss Geraldine Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many pensioners in Morecambe benefit from(a) the winter fuel allowance, (b) free television licences and (c) the Minimum Income Guarantee. [148969]

Mr. Rooker

For information on Winter Fuel Payments and free television licences, I refer my hon. Friend to the written answer I gave the hon. Member for Northavon (Mr. Webb) on 31 January 2001,Official Report, column 238W.

For information on recipients of the Minimum Income Guarantee, I refer my hon. Friend to the written answer I gave on 5 February 2001, Official Report, column 364W.

Miss Geraldine Smith

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what public expenditure on pensions including Winter Fuel Payments and Free Television Licences was at the end of the{a) 1996–97, (b) 2000–01 and (c) 1999–2000 financial years; [148975]

(2) how much has been spent on the provision of State Pensions, including Winter Fuel Payments and Free Television Licences from 1997 to date. [149083]

Mr. Rooker

The information is in the table.

£ million cash terms
1996–97 1999–2000 2000–01
Retirement Pension 31,995 37,726 38,745
Non-contributory Retirement Pension 30 28 27
Winter Fuel Payments 0 902 1,701
Income Support/Minimum Income Guarantee 3,815 3,812 4,082
Social Fund 41 26 29
Christmas Bonus 111 106 107
Non-contributory Christmas Bonus 15 16 17
Concessionary TV licences 0 0 346
Total 40,808 47,774 50,248

Notes:

1. Consistent with Social Security benefit expenditure totals published in the pre-Budget report, November 2000, and in Departmental Reports for earlier years.

2. Winter Fuel Payments were introduced in the winter of 1997–98.

3. The Free Television Licence scheme began in November 2000, and is administered by TV Licensing for the BBC.

4. Any household where a person is aged 75 or over is entitled to a free TV Licence.

5. State Pension Age is currently age 60 for women and age 65 for men.

6. Men and women aged 60 and over are entitled to Winter Fuel Payments. The amount is £200 per household.

7. The figures provided relate to Income Support/MIG/Social Fund for men and women aged 60 or over.

8. The figures quoted for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit are assuming a qualifying condition based on age, ie 60 for women and age 65 for men.

9. Christmas Bonus is paid mainly to pensioners but includes other categories of claimants. It is paid with pensions and Income Support to people over pension age.