HC Deb 16 January 2002 vol 378 cc381-2W
David Hamilton

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how the Government are helping pensioners who live in poverty; and what percentage of pensioners in the Midlothian constituency are living in poverty. [27175]

Mr. McCartney

The Government's first priority was to address the immediate problem of pensioner poverty today. That is why we introduced the minimum income guarantee (MIG) in April 1999 to provide money for the poorest pensioners as quickly as possible. We have made it easier for the poorest pensioners to claim MIG, by reducing the 40-page claim form down to just 10 pages, and by introducing a new telephone service.

The Government have also introduced measures to ensure that all pensioners share in rising prosperity. From April 2002 the basic state pension will rise by £3 a week for single pensioners and by £4.80 for couples, on top of above-inflation increases last year. This is in addition to the introduction of winter fuel payments, and free TV licences for the over-75s.

From 2003, the pension credit will reward those who have worked hard and saved hard by providing extra cash for those with savings, second pensions and earnings up to incomes of £135 a week for a single pensioner and £200 a week for couples.

The other information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is as follows. As at August 2001 there were 1,600 customers in receipt of minimum income guarantee in the parliamentary constituency of Midlothian.

Source:

Income Support Quarterly Statistical Enquiry, August 2001.