Means-tested Benefits and Tax Credits

HC Deb 15 October 2001 vol 372 c845W

Mr. Bercow

To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the impact on the savings ratio of means-tested benefits and tax credits introduced since May 1997. [7757]

Ruth Kelly

The Government's strategy to encourage saving, published in November 2000 in "Helping People to Save", is to create the right environment for saving, including the right macro-economic environment, create the right incentives for people to save, and provide information and education to help people make the right saving choices. Government policies on means-tested benefits and tax credits target assistance to those most in need.