Minimum Income Guarantee (Hansard, 11 April 2003)

§ Mr. Frank Field
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how much additional money poorer pensioners are gaining through the minimum income guarantee above what they would have gained if the income support rates of 1997 had been increased only in line with earnings. [107189]

§ Maria Eagle
The information is in the following table.

Table 1: MIG rates payable from April 2003 compared to the rates that would have been payable if the income support rates had been increased only in line with earnings

£ per week

Age and Family Status Actual rates payable from April 2003 April 2003 rates if increased by earnings since 1997 Difference

Single

60–74 102.10 88.55 13.55

75–79 102.10 91.35 10.75

80+ 102.10 97.45 4.65

Couple

60–74 155.80 137.45 18.35

75–79 155.80 141.50 14.30

80+ 155.80 148.20 7.60

Notes: 1. Earnings increases based on GB Average Earnings Index, whole economy, 3 month seasonally adjusted average for May to July. 2. Income Support was replaced by the Minimum Income Guarantee in April 1999
Source: Income Support Quarterly Statistical Enquiry, November 2002.

§ Mr. Battle
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners in Leeds West are in receipt of the minimum income guarantee. [107972]

§ Maria Eagle
As at November 2002 there were 3,700 people receiving the Minimum Income Guarantee in the Leeds West constituency.*Source: Income Support quarterly statistical enquiry. November 02.

Table 1: MIG rates payable from April 2003 compared to the rates that would have been payable if the income support rates had been increased only in line with earnings
£ per week
Age and Family Status	Actual rates payable from April 2003	April 2003 rates if increased by earnings since 1997	Difference
Single
60–74	102.10	88.55	13.55
75–79	102.10	91.35	10.75
80+	102.10	97.45	4.65
Couple
60–74	155.80	137.45	18.35
75–79	155.80	141.50	14.30
80+	155.80	148.20	7.60