§ 18. Helen JacksonTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the impact of the Budget on pensioner income. [53560]
§ Ruth KellyThe average pensioner household will be £7.75 per week, or around £400 per year, better off due to the Government's personal tax and benefit changes announced in the latest Budget round.
§ 19. John RobertsonTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on measures to raise the standard of living of the poorest pensioners. [53561]
§ Ruth KellyThe Government are committed to tackling pensioner poverty; helping those in greatest need. The Government introduced the minimum income guarantee and is committed to raising it in line with earnings throughout this Parliament. From 2003, the pension credit will enable those with a modest amount of second pension or savings to gain on average just over £400 a year.