HC Deb 22 April 2002 vol 384 cc60-1W
Mr. Pike

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people above state pension age have(a) reduced entitlement to the basic state pension and (b) no entitlement at all to a basic state pension. [45911]

Mr. McCartney

There are around 1.46 million people in Great Britain with a reduced entitlement to the Basic State Pension and around 360,000 with no entitlement at all.

The Minimum Income Guarantee (MIG) was introduced in April 1999 to provide a new higher income below which pensioners with little or no savings should not fall. From April 2002 no pensioner has to get by on less than £98.15 a week under MIG (£149.80 for couples). Over two million pensioners nationally benefit from this measure.

Source:

Administrative Data September 2001 and ONS mid 2000 Population Estimates.

Mr. Webb

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many people failed to claim their state pension within three months of reaching state pension age; what the total amount of state pension left unclaimed was in each of the last four years; and if he will make a statement. [47585]

Mr. McCartney

[holding answer 10 April 2002]: There is no requirement to claim retirement pension at state pension age.