HC Deb 16 July 2001 vol 372 c65W
Mr. Cousins

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will estimate the numbers of pensioners claiming(a) the Minimum Income Guarantee, (b) Housing Benefit, (c) Council Tax Benefit and (d) Attendance Allowance; and how many pensioners who are eligible do not claim these benefits. [3627]

Mr. McCartney

The latest available information is as follows:

  1. (a) As at February 2001, 1,679,300 pensioners were claiming the Minimum Income Guarantee1.
  2. (b) As at May 1999, 1,769,000 pensioners were claiming Housing Benefit, and
  3. (c) 2,542,000 pensioners were claiming Council Tax Benefit2.
  4. (d) As at the end of November 2000, 1,291,300 pensioners were claiming Attendance Allowance3.

Available information on take-up of benefit can be found in the publication "Income Related Benefits—Estimates of Take Up in 1998–99", a copy of which is in the Library. Up-to-date information on take-up of Attendance Allowance is not available.

Sources:

1 Income Support Statistics Quarterly Enquiries, 5 per cent. sample, February 2001.

2 Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit Management Information System, annual I per cent. sample, May 1999.

3 Based on 5 per cent. sample data relating to 30 November 2000.