§ Dr. Jack CunninghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners were in receipt of(a) full and (b) partial council tax benefit in Copeland (i) in 1996–97 and (ii) in the last financial year for which figures are available; what percentage of all pensioners in Copeland this represents in each case; and if he will make a statement. [138471]
§ Mr. PondThe available information is in the table.
Council tax benefit beneficiaries aged 60 and over in the North West Government Office Region: May 1997 and May 2002 Partial benefit Full benefit Total Number of beneficiaries May 1997 143,000 181,000 324,000 May 2002 115,000 259,000 374,000 Beneficiaries as a percentage of people aged 60 and over in the North Wset Government Office Region May 1997 10.1 12.8 22.9 May 2002 8.1 18.2 26.2 Notes
1. Figures are based on a 1 per cent sample and are therefore subject to a degree of sampling variation.
2. Valid figures from a 1 per cent. sample are not available by local authority as they would be subject to a high degree of sampling error.
3. Caseload figures have been rounded to the nearest thousand.
4. Percentages have been rounded to one decimal place.
5. Figures exclude any Second Adult Rebate cases.
6. Beneficiaries are classed as claimants and/or partners aged 60 or over.
Sources
1. Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit Management Information System, I Per cent. sample.
2. ONS, Population Estimates Unit, Mid-1997 and 2002.