HC Deb 18 December 2003 vol 415 cc1092-3W
Mr. Gordon Marsden

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners in Blackpool received council tax benefit in the last year for which figures are available. [141340]

Mr. Pond

The number of households where the recipient and/or their partner was aged 60 or over, and was in receipt of council tax benefit from Blackpool Borough Council at August 2003, is 7,700.

Notes:

1. The data refer to households claiming housing benefit, which may be a single person, a couple or a family.

2. The figure is rounded to the nearest hundred.

3. Figures exclude any Second Adult Rebate cases.

Source:

Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit Management Information System Quarterly 100 per cent. caseload stock-count.

Mr. Gordon Marsden

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what recent discussions his Department has had with(a) other Government Departments, (b) voluntary sector organisations and (c) local authorities on measures to improve take-up of council tax benefit among pensioners. [141363]

Mr. Pond

There have been a number of discussions between officials of this Department, the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and representatives of the Local Authority Associations. In addition, Ministers have met with the Local Government Association and with Help the Aged, following their report on "The impact of council tax on older people's income".

On Monday 15 December 2003, we announced a campaign to further support local authorities in their statutory duty to promote take-up of council tax benefit. On the same day, departmental officials wrote about the campaign to the National Assembly for Wales and the Wales Office; the Scottish Executive and the Scotland Office; voluntary sector organisations and other advisory groups with an interest in take-up such as Help the Aged, Age Concern and Shelter; and Local Authority Associations.

Mr. Coleman

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what representations he has received regarding council tax benefit restrictions; and if he will make a statement. [143859]

Mr. Pond

We have received several representations from local government and voluntary agencies, such as Help the Aged, regarding the council tax benefit restriction.

As we announced on 15 December 2003, Official Report, columns 125–26WS, we have decided to abolish the council tax benefit restriction from April 2004.