§ Mr. CousinsTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions under what circumstances(a) two pensioners of the same sex living at the same address and (b) two pensioners of different sexes living at the same address would separately be entitled to claim the proposed pension credit. [42957]
§ Malcolm WicksThere will be no provision for two members of the same sex to claim Pension Credit jointly.
Residence at the same address will not be the sole factor in deciding whether two pensioners of different sex should claim Pension Credit separately or jointly. Rather, of particular importance is the nature of their relationship and whether or not they were living together as husband and wife in a single household unit within that building. Each case will be considered on its individual merits, in the same way as for Minimum Income Guarantee now.