HC Deb 12 January 2004 vol 416 cc559-60W
Simon Hughes

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many pensioners are not receiving their pension credit entitlement(a) in England and (b) in London; and if he will make a statement. [146784]

Malcolm Wicks

The information is not available in the form requested. However, we estimate that there are approximately 3.15 million pensioner households in England and 450,000 in London likely to be eligible for pension credit. While we want everyone who is eligible to take up their entitlement, we have to recognise that some may choose not to apply.

We have today published the latest monthly pension credit progress report, including numbers of recipient households in each parliamentary constituency in Great Britain.

It shows that we continue to make good progress. As at 31 December 2003. more than 2.5 million pensioners were receiving pension credit. In the hon. Member's constituency, 4,204 households are receiving pension credit with an average award of £58.62 per week.

Mr. Willetts

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) how many(a) individuals and (b) households who had not previously been in receipt of the minimum income guarantee were in receipt of (i) the guarantee credit and (ii) the savings credit on (A) 14 October, (B) 11 November and (C) 10 December: [145983]

(2) how many (a) individuals and (b) households were being paid the pension credit on (i) 14 October, (ii) 31 October and (iii) 11 November; and how many of these had not been paid the minimum income guarantee. [146091]

Malcolm Wicks

Information for some of the dates referred to is not available in the format requested. The tables give information to the nearest dates for which information is available.