HC Deb 02 May 2002 vol 384 cc968-81W
Mr. Frank Field

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of single male pensioners aged(a) 70 and under, (b) 71 to 75, (c) 76 to 80 and (d) over 80 years had an income below 60 per cent. of the median income in each of the last 10 years. [53803]

Mr. McCartney

The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the table.

Proportion of single male pensioners below 60 per cent. of median
Percentage of pensioners
Income threshold: 60 per cent. of median
Before housing costs After housing costs
Including the self-employed
1991–92 23 30
1992–93 18 28
1993–94 17 26
1994–95 17 23
1995–96 17 22
1996–97 17 25
1997–98 18 28
1998–99 18 28
1999–2000 18 26
2000–01 16 24
Excluding the self-employed
1991–92 21 29
1992–93 18 28
1993–94 16 25
1994–95 16 22
1995–96 16 21
1996–97 16 24
1997–98 18 28
1998–99 17 27
1999–2000 18 25
2000–01 16 23

Notes:

1. All figures are estimates and are taken from the Households Below Average Income (HBAI) series. From 1991–92 to 1993–94 data are derived from the Family Expenditure Survey (two calendar years combined for 1991–92 and 1992–93 and two financial years combined for 1993–94). From 1994–95 to 2000–01, data is derived from the Family Resources Survey and represents singe financial years. The Family Resources Survey does not include Northern Ireland, and the latest year for which data are available is 2000–01.

2. The estimates are sample counts, which have been adjusted for non-response using multipurpose grossing factors. Estimates are subject to both sample error and to variable in non-response. The income measure used is weekly net (disposable) equivalised household income (that is to say income that is adjusted to reflect the composition of the household).

3. The estimates are presented on both a Before Housing Costs (BHC) and an After Housing Costs (AHC) basis in line with HBAI conventions. Figures are provided excluding the self-employed, as research suggests that, for self-employed people, income as reported in surveys is often a poor indicator of living standards. HBAI convention is to present results excluding the self-employed, presenting results including the self-employed where the two differ.

Mr. Frank Field

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions if he will set out the differences in eligibility criteria for each category of people claiming the(a) basic state pension and (b) state second pension. [52100]

Mr. McCartney

People can qualify for a full basic state pension on reaching state pension age providing they make a claim and satisfy the following contribution conditionsThey must have paid 50 qualifying contributions before 6 April 1975 or enough contributions in any one tax year after April 1975 for that year to be a qualifying year. Enough contributions must be paid or credited to give qualifying years for about 90 per cent. of their working life. To qualify for any basic pension at all a person must have enough qualifying years to receive a pension of at least 25 per cent. of the full rate.

People can qualify for additional pension through the state second pension payable at state pension age if they are: Employees without contracted-out pension arrangement earning between the national insurance lower and upper earnings levels, or

Percentage distribution of income for individuals living in pensioners couples by age—excluding the self-employed
Percentage of pensioners
Net equivalised disposable household income
Bottom quintile Second quintile Third quintile Fourth quintile Top quintile Total
Before housing costs Pensioner couples
1991–92 28 28 21 13 11 5.1
1992–93 25 29 21 14 11 5.2
1993–94 24 31 21 12 12 5.2
1994–95 24 29 21 15 11 5.1
1995–96 27 26 21 15 11 5.1
1996–97 23 29 21 15 12 5.1
1997–98 24 28 22 14 12 5.2
1998–99 27 26 20 15 12 5.2
1999–2000 24 29 21 14 11 5.2
2000–01 26 27 21 14 12 5.2
of which: Head aged 70 and under
1991–92 21 26 24 17 12 2.4
1992–93 20 27 23 16 14 2.4
1993–94 18 31 23 13 15 2.3
1994–95 18 28 23 18 14 2.1
1995–96 21 24 24 17 14 2.2
1996–97 16 27 23 19 16 2.2
1997–98 18 26 23 18 15 2.3
1998–99 20 25 22 18 15 2.3
1999–2000 17 27 23 18 15 2.3
2000–01 19 26 23 17 15 2.2
Head aged 71 to 75
1991–92 31 28 21 10 11 1.3
1992–93 26 27 21 15 11 1.4
1993–94 27 31 19 13 11 1.5
1994–95 26 30 20 14 9 1.6
1995–96 28 30 19 13 10 1.6
1996–97 25 29 21 13 13 1.5
1997–98 28 31 19 11 11 1.4
1998–99 28 28 20 14 10 1.5
1999–2000 26 32 20 12 10 1.5
2000–01 28 27 22 14 9 1.4
Head aged 76 to 80
1991–92 37 25 19 9 9 0.9
1992–93 35 31 20 7 7 0.9

Employees who have contracted-out pension arrangements who earn between the national insurance lower earnings level and £24,600 (in 2002–03 terms) or Carers who either qualify for Home Responsibilities Protection (HRP) where they are caring for an ill or disabled person or a child under age six; or are entitled to invalid care allowance throughout a qualifying year or People who, throughout a qualifying year, are entitled to incapacity benefit at the long term rate or; receive severe disablement allowance, and who at state pension age, have worked and paid or are treated as having paid class 1 national insurance contributions for 10 per cent. of their working life.

Mr. Frank Field

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what percentage of pensioner couples where the age of the head of the household was(a) 70 and under, (b) 71 to 75, (c) 76 to 80 and (d) over 80 years had an income in (i) the bottom income quintile, (ii) the second bottom income quintile, (iii) the middle income quintile, (iv) the second top income quintile and (v) the top income quintile, in each of the past 10 years. [53811]

Mr. McCartney

The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the tables.

Percentage distribution of income for individuals living in pensioners couples by age—excluding the self-employed
Percentage of pensioners
Net equivalised disposable household income
Bottom quintile Second quintile Third quintile Fourth quintile Top quintile Total
1993–94 30 31 21 9 9 0.9
1994–95 32 26 21 11 9 0.8
1995–96 38 23 18 12 8 0.8
1996–97 30 31 21 13 6 0.9
1997–98 31 28 21 12 7 0.9
1998–99 36 28 16 13 8 0.9
1999–2000 32 29 20 12 7 1.0
2000–01 33 27 19 12 9 1.0
Head aged over 80
1991–92 32 42 11 8 7 0.5
1992–93 27 39 17 10 7 0.5
1993–94 35 27 19 9 10 0.5
1994–95 32 31 20 10 7 0.6
1995–96 36 25 20 10 8 0.6
1996–97 31 33 17 10 9 0.6
1997–98 28 30 22 12 8 0.6
1998–99 37 27 12 14 9 0.5
1999–2000 39 26 22 7 6 0.5
2000–01 34 30 16 9 10 0.6

Net equivalised disposable household income
Bottom quintile Second quintile Third quintile Fourth quintile Top quintile Total
After housing costs Pensioner couples
1991–92 23 28 20 15 14 5.1
1992–93 20 28 22 16 14 5.2
1993–94 20 30 22 14 15 5.2
1994–95 19 28 23 16 13 5.1
1995–96 19 29 22 16 14 5.1
1996–97 16 30 22 17 14 5.1
1997–98 18 29 23 17 13 5.2
1998–99 18 29 22 16 15 5.2
1999–2000 18 29 23 16 13 5.2
2000–01 19 27 22 17 15 5.2
of which: Head aged 70 and under
1991–92 16 25 23 20 16 2.4
1992–93 14 27 24 18 16 2.4
1993–94 14 30 23 15 17 2.3
1994–95 14 25 26 19 16 2.1
1995–96 14 25 25 19 17 2.2
1996–97 12 26 24 21 17 2.2
1997–98 12 25 24 21 17 2.3
1998–99 14 24 24 19 19 2.3
1999–2000 13 25 23 21 18 2.3
2000–01 14 24 24 21 18 2.2
Head aged 71 to 75
1991–92 26 28 20 12 14 1.3
1992–93 22 26 21 16 14 1.4
1993–94 22 31 19 15 13 1.5
1994–95 20 29 23 16 11 1.6
1995–96 19 32 22 15 12 1.6
1996–97 18 31 22 14 14 1.5
1997–98 20 34 22 13 12 1.4
1998–99 18 31 23 15 12 1.5
1999–2000 18 32 24 14 11 1.5
2000–01 21 28 24 15 13 1.4
Head aged 76 to 80
1991–92 29 29 20 10 11 0.9
1992–93 31 30 21 11 8 0.9
1993–94 26 29 23 11 11 0.9

Net equivalised disposable household income
Bottom quintile Second quintile Third quintile Fourth quintile Top quintile Total
1994–95 27 29 20 12 12 0.8
1995–96 26 31 18 13 11 0.8
1996–97 21 35 21 15 7 0.9
1997–98 26 28 22 15 9 0.9
1998–99 24 34 18 13 10 0.9
1999–2000 20 36 21 13 10 1.0
2000–01 24 29 21 13 13 1.0
Head aged over 80
1991–92 38 38 9 9 8 0.5
1992–93 28 35 16 13 9 0.5
1993–94 27 31 21 9 12 0.5
1994–95 26 33 21 12 8 0.6
1995–96 29 30 20 12 10 0.6
1996–97 26 36 17 12 10 0.6
1997–98 24 32 20 15 8 0.6
1998–99 28 32 14 13 13 0.5
1999–2000 32 31 22 10 6 0.5
2000–01 27 35 16 11 11 0.6

Notes:

1. All figures are estimates and are taken from the Households Below Average Income (HBAI) series. From 1991–92 to 1993–94 data are derived from the Family Expenditure Survey (two calendar years combined for 1991–92 and 1992–93 and two financial years combined for 1993–94) and relates to the UK. From 1994–95 to 2000–01, data are derived from the Family Resources Survey and represents single financial years. The Family Resources Survey does not include Northern Ireland, and the latest year for which data are available is 2000–01.

2. The estimates are sample counts, which have been adjusted for non-response using multipurpose grossing factors. Estimates are subject to both sampling error and to variability in non-response. The income measures used is weekly net (disposable) equivalised household income (that is to say income that is adjusted to reflect the composition of the household).

3. The estimates are presented on both a Before Housing Costs (BHC) and an After Housing Costs (AHC) basis in line with HBAI conventions. Figures are provided excluding the self-employed, as research suggests that, for self-employed people, income as reported in surveys is often a poor indicator of living standards. HBAI convention is to present results excluding the self-employed, presenting results including the self-employed where the two differ significantly.

Mr. Frank Field

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of single female pensioners aged(a) 70 and under, (b) 71 to 75, (c) 76 to 80 and (d) over 80 years had an income below 60 per cent. of the median income in each of the last 10 years. [53813]

Mr. McCartney

The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is provided in the table.

Proportion of single female pensioners below 60 per cent. Of median income
Percentage of pensioners
Income threshold: 60 per cent. of median
Before housing costs After housing costs
Including the self-employed
1991–92 31 42
1992–93 26 36
1993–94 25 34
1994–95 25 33
1995–96 24 29
1996–97 25 35
1997–98 25 34
1998–99 24 34
1999–2000 24 32
2000–01 23 30
Excluding the self-employed
1991–92 29 42
1992–93 26 36
1993–94 24 33
1994–95 24 31
1995–96 23 28
1996–97 24 33
1997–98 24 33

Proportion of single female pensioners below 60 per cent. Of median income
Percentage of pensioners
Income threshold: 60 per cent. of median
Before housing costs After housing costs
1998–99 23 32
1999–2000 24 31
2000–01 23 29

Notes:

1. All figures are estimates and are taken from the Households Below Average Income (HBAI) series. From 1991–92 to 1993–94 data are derived from the Family Expenditure Survey (two calendar years combined for 1991–92 and 1992–93 and two financial years combined for 1993–94). From 1994–95 to 2000–01, data are derived from the Family Resources Survey and represents single financial years. The Family Resources Survey does not include Northern Ireland, and the latest year for which data are available is 2000–01.

2. The estimates are sample counts, which have been adjusted for non-response using multipurpose grossing factors that control for tenure, council tax band and a number of other variables. Estimates are subject to both sampling error and to variability in non-response. The income measure used is weekly net (disposable) equivalised household income (that is to say income that is adjusted to reflect the composition of the household).

3. The estimates are presented on both a Before Housing Costs (BHC) and an After Housing Costs (AHC) basis in line with HBAI conventions. Figures are provided excluding the self-employed, as research suggests that, for self-employed people, income as reported in surveys is often a poor indicator of living standards. HBAI convention is to present results excluding the self-employed, presenting results including the self-employed where the two differ.

Mr. Frank Field

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what percentage of single male pensioners aged(a) 70 and under, (b) 71 to 75, (c) 76 to 80 and (d) over 80 years had an income in (i) the bottom

Percentage distribution of income for single male pensioners, excluding the self-employed
Net equivalised disposable household income
Bottom quintile Second quintile Third quintile Fourth quintile Top quintile Total
Before housing costs
1991–92 21 39 16 11 13 0.9
1992–93 19 40 16 12 13 0.9
1993–94 21 37 18 12 12 0.9
1994–95 21 34 23 12 10 0.9
1995–96 21 35 23 13 9 0.9
1996–97 19 31 25 15 10 0.9
1997–98 21 36 19 15 8 0.9
1998–99 21 35 21 13 9 0.9
1999–2000 21 33 21 15 11 1.0
2000–01 20 33 21 15 10 1.0
After housing costs
1991–92 18 36 16 14 16 0.9
1992–93 16 40 15 13 17 0.9
1993–94 15 39 17 13 16 0.9
1994–95 16 36 19 14 15 0.9
1995–96 14 39 20 15 13 0.9
1996–97 14 34 21 18 14 0.9
1997–98 17 36 19 15 12 0.9
1998–99 19 33 20 16 12 0.9
1999–2000 16 35 19 15 15 1.0
2000–01 17 32 20 16 15 1.0

Notes:

1. All figures are estimates and are taken from the Households Below Average Income (HBAI) series. From 1991–92 to 1993–94 data are derived from the Family Expenditure Survey (two calendar years combined for 1991–92 to 1992–03 and two financial years combined for 1993–94) and relates to the UK. From the 1994–95 to 2000–01, data are derived from the Family Resources Survey and represents single financial years. The Family Resources Survey does not include Northern Ireland, and the latest year for which data are available is 2000–01.

2. The estimates are sample counts, which have been adjusted for non-response using multipurpose grossing factors. Estimates are subject to both sampling error and to variability in non-response. The income measure used is weekly net (disposable) equivalised household income (that is to say income that is adjusted to reflect the composition of the household).

3. The estimates are presented on both a Before Housing Costs (BHC) and After Housing Costs (AHC) basis in line with HBAI conventions. Figures are provided excluding the self-employed, as research suggests that, for self-employed people, income as reported in surveys is often a poor indicator of living standards. HBAI convention is to present results excluding the self-employed, presenting results including the self-employed where the two differ significantly.

4. As a result of the small sample sizes associated with breaking down male pensioners according to age, only the overall distribution has been presented above. While sample sizes are adequate for point-in-time estimates, it is unlikely that a time series would have any validity as a guide to changes over time. The information for 200–01 can be found in the publication 'Households Below Average Income 1994–95 to 2000–01', a copy of which can be found in the House of Commons Library.

Mr. Frank Field

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of pensioner couples had an income below 60 per cent. of the median income in each of the last 10 years where the head of the family was aged(a) 70 and under, (b) 71 to 75, (c) 76 to 80 and (d) over 80 years. [53804]

Mr. McCartney

The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is provided in the tables.

income quintile, (ii) the second bottom income quintile, (iii) the middle income quintile, (iv) the second top income quintile and (v) the top income quintile, in each of the past 10 years. [53810]

Mr. McCartney

The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the table.

Proportion of individuals in pensioner couples below 60 per cent. of median income, including the self-employed
Percentage of pensioners
Income threshold: 60 per cent. of median Before housing costs After housing costs
1991–92 29 27
1992–93 24 25
1993–94 22 25
1994–95 19 23
1995–96 21 23

Proportion of individuals in pensioner couples below 60 per cent. of median income, including the self-employed
Percentage of pensioners
Income threshold: 60 per cent. of median Before housing costs After housing costs
1996–97 20 22
1997–98 21 23
1998–99 23 22
1999–2000 21 22
2000–01 22 22

Proportion of individuals in pensioner couples below 60 per cent. of median income, including the self-employed
Percentage of pensioners
Income threshold: 60 per cent. of median Before housing costs After housing costs
1991–92 28 27
1992–93 24 25
1993–94 21 24
1994–95 18 22
1995–96 21 23
1996–97 19 22
1997–98 20 23
1998–99 22 22
1999–2000 20 22
2000–01 21 21

Percentage distribution of income for single female pensioners by age, excluding the self-employed
Net equivalised disposable household income
Before housing costs: Bottom quintile Second quintile Third quintile Fourth quintile Top quintile Total
single female pensioners
1991–92 29 38 16 9 8 3.5
1992–93 27 40 16 10 7 3.4
1993–94 27 37 17 12 7 3.4
1994–95 29 35 18 12 6 3.3
1995–96 28 34 19 14 6 3.2
1996–97 27 34 20 12 7 3.2
1997–98 27 33 20 13 7 3.2
1998–99 27 33 21 13 6 3.2
1999–2000 27 31 21 14 7 3.1
2000–01 27 33 20 13 6 3.1
of which: aged 70 and under
1991–92 24 36 18 11 11 1.2
1992–93 22 37 19 11 10 1.1
1993–94 21 38 18 12 11 1.1
1994–95 23 35 19 13 10 1.1
1995–96 23 35 19 15 8 1.0
1996–97 22 34 22 13 8 1.0
1997–98 20 33 22 16 9 1.0
1998–99 22 33 22 14 9 1.0
1999–2000 21 33 22 14 10 1.0
2000–01 24 33 21 14 9 1.0
aged 71 to 75
1991–92 35 34 13 11 7 0.7
1992–93 31 39 15 10 6 0.8
1993–94 33 36 14 12 5 0.7
1994–95 28 36 19 11 6 0.7
1995–96 27 34 20 14 5 0.8
1996–97 28 36 18 12 6 0.7
1997–98 29 35 19 11 6 0.6
1998–99 31 35 19 11 4 0.7
1999–2000 31 31 20 13 4 0.6
2000–01 25 35 21 13 6 0.6

Notes:

1. All figures are estimates and are taken from the Households Below Average Income (HBA1) series. From 1991–92 to 1993–94 data are derived from the Family Expenditure Survey (two calendar years combined for 1991–92 and 1992–93 and two financial years combined for 1993–94). From 1994–95 to 2000–01, data are derived from the Family Resources Survey and represents single financial years. The Family Resources Survey does not include Northern Ireland, and the latest year for which data are available is 2000–01.

2. The estimates are sample counts, which have been adjusted for non-response using multi-purpose grossing factors. Estimates are subject to both sampling error and to variability in non-response. The income measure used is weekly net (disposable) equivalised household income (that is to say income that is adjusted to reflect the composition of the household).

3. The estimates are presented on both a Before Housing Costs (BHC) and an After Housing Costs (AHC) basis in line with HBAI conventions. Figures are provided excluding the self-employed, as research suggests that, for self-employed people, income as reported in surveys is often a poor indicator of living standards. HBAI convention is to present results excluding the self-employed, presenting results including the self-employed where the two differ.

Mr. Frank Field

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what percentage of single female pensioners aged(a) 70 and under, (b) 71 to 75, (c) 76 to 80 and (d) over 80 years had an income in (i) the bottom income quintile, (ii) the second bottom income quintile, (iii) the middle income quintile, (iv) the second top income quintile and (v) the top income quintile, in each of the past 10 years. [53809]

Mr. McCartney

The information is in the tables.

Percentage distribution of income for single female pensioners by age, excluding the self-employed
Net equivalised disposable household income
Before housing costs: Bottom quintile Second quintile Third quintile Fourth quintile Top quintile Total
aged 76 to 80
1991–92 30 42 13 8 6 0.8
1992–93 31 41 13 10 6 0.8
1993–94 32 40 16 9 4 0.7
1994–95 33 37 16 11 3 0.6
1995–96 34 34 17 11 4 0.6
1996–97 30 35 19 9 6 0.6
1997–98 31 32 21 10 6 0.7
1998–99 28 36 19 13 5 0.7
1999–2000 30 34 19 12 4 0.7
2000–01 29 34 19 14 4 0.7
aged over 80
1991–92 31 39 16 6 8 0.8
1992–93 28 42 17 8 5 0.8
1993–94 28 36 18 12 5 0.9
1994–95 33 32 18 12 5 0.9
1995–96 30 32 19 14 5 0.9
1996–97 29 32 21 13 5 0.8
1997–98 30 31 20 13 5 0.9
1998–99 29 31 21 15 5 0.8
1999–2000 28 27 23 16 6 0.8
2000–01 30 31 20 13 6 0.8

Percentage distribution of income for single female pensioners by age, excluding the self-employed
Net equivalised disposable household income
After housing costs: Bottom quintile Second quintile Third quintile Fourth quintile Top quintile Total
Single female pensioners
1991–92 27 35 15 12 11 3.5
1992–93 22 39 17 12 10 3.4
1993–94 22 39 17 13 10 3.4
1994–95 23 38 16 13 9 3.3
1995–96 20 38 18 15 9 3.2
1996–97 18 39 19 14 9 3.2
1997–98 22 35 19 15 9 3.2
1998–99 23 32 21 15 9 3.2
1999–2000 22 32 20 16 10 3.1
2000–01 23 31 21 15 10 3.1
of which: aged 70 and under
1991–92 25 29 18 13 15 1.2
1992–93 21 34 17 13 16 1.1
1993–94 19 34 18 13 16 1.1
1994–95 20 34 18 15 13 1.1
1995–96 19 36 19 14 13 1.0
1996–97 17 35 19 16 12 1.0
1997–98 19 30 20 18 13 1.0
1998–99 19 29 23 15 14 1.0
1999–2000 20 29 21 14 16 1.0
2000–01 22 29 20 15 13 1.0
aged 71 to 75
1991–92 30 37 11 12 11 0.7
1992–93 26 39 14 14 7 0.8
1993–94 29 35 15 11 10 0.7
1994–95 24 39 16 13 8 0.7
1995–96 19 36 21 14 9 0.8
1996–97 19 40 19 13 9 0.7
1997–98 24 36 17 14 8 0.6
1998–99 29 33 17 14 6 0.7
1999–2000 24 33 19 16 7 0.6
2000–01 24 26 24 16 9 0.6
aged 76 to 80
1991–92 32 37 12 12 8 0.8
1992–93 23 43 16 9 8 0.8
1993–94 20 45 19 10 6 0.7
1994–95 27 42 14 12 5 0.6

Percentage distribution of income for single female pensioners by age, excluding the self-employed
Net equivalised disposable household income
After housing costs: Bottom quintile Second quintile Third quintile Fourth quintile Top quintile Total
1995–96 23 42 15 13 7 0.6
1996–97 20 42 19 12 8 0.6
1997–98 22 38 19 13 8 0.7
1998–99 25 33 20 16 7 0.7
1999–2000 24 35 20 15 7 0.7
2000–01 21 34 22 15 8 0.7
aged over 80
1991–92 23 40 18 10 9 0.8
1992–93 20 43 19 10 7 0.8
1993–94 19 43 16 15 8 0.9
1994–95 23 40 17 13 7 0.9
1995–96 21 37 18 17 7 0.9
1996–97 18 41 19 16 7 0.8
1997–98 23 37 18 15 7 0.9
1998–99 19 36 20 17 7 0.8
1999–2000 20 33 20 18 8 0.8
2000–01 24 34 20 15 8 0.8

Notes:

1. All figures are estimates and are taken from the Households Below Average Income (HBAI) series. From 1991–92 to 1993–94 data are derived from the Family Expenditure Survey (two calendar years combined for 1991–92 and 1992–93 and two financial years combined for 1993–94) and relates to the UK. From 1994–95 to 2000–01, data are derived from the Family Resources Survey and represents single financial years. The Family Resources Survey does not include Northern Ireland, and the latest year for which data are available is 2000–01.

2. The estimates are sample counts, which have been adjusted for non-response using multi-purpose grossing factors. Estimates are subject to both sampling error and to variability in non-response. The income measure used is weekly net (disposable) equivalised household income (that is to say income that is adjusted to reflect the composition of the household).

3. The estimates are presented on both a Before Housing Costs (BHC) and an After Housing Costs (AHC) basis in line with HBAI conventions. Figures are provided excluding the self-employed, as research suggests that, for self-employed people, income as reported in surveys is often a poor indicator of living standards. HBAI convention is to present results excluding the self-employed, presenting results including the self-employed where the two differ significantly.

Mr. Frank Field

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what proportion of pensioner households had an income below 60 per cent. of the median income in each of the last 10 years. [53812]

Mr. McCartney

Such information as is available can be found in the publication "Households Below Average Income 1994–95 to 2000–01" a copy of which is held in the Library.

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