Pensions (Hansard, 21 June 2004)

§ Mr. Pike
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what representations he has received on the future of pension centres; and if he will make a statement. [178433]

§ Malcolm Wicks
We have received a number of representations on the future of pension centres.
As we said at the time of the budget, we will come forward with more developed departmental plans following discussions with our unions and when the spending review process has been completed.

§ Richard Burden
ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what assessment he has made of whether members of the Cheney, Warwick Group and Debenholt and Kalamazoo pension schemes will be considered for assistance under the provisions of the Pensions Bill in respect of employees who have lost pension benefits following the wind-up of occupational pension schemes. [179444]

§ Malcolm Wicks
I refer my hon. Friend to my previous reply on 7 June 2004Official Report, column 82W.

§ Mr. Willetts
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many(a) pension units, (b) pensioner couples and (c) single pensioners had incomes below the median pensioner income in the last year for which figures are available; and what proportion this is of total pensioners in each case. [177907]

§ Malcolm Wicks
Median net income before housing costs for pensioner units (pensioner couples and single pensioners) is £189 a week. The following tables show the number of and proportion of pensioner couples and single pensioners with cash income above and below this amount. Because of the different needs of single and pensioner couples these results should not be taken to reflect their relative living standards.
1261W
Tables 1a and 1b show the number of single pensioners and pensioner couple with weekly net income above and below this level on a Before Housing Costs (BHC) and After Housing Costs (AHC) basis. Tables 2a and 2b show the proportion of each type of Pensioner Unit with income below the median level on a BHC and AHC basis.

Table 1a: Numbers below median net income (BHC)

Pensioner couples Single pensioners All pensioner unit

Below median 550,000 2,850,000 3,450,000

Above median 2,200,000 1,250,000 3,450,000

Total 2,750,000 4,100,000 6,850,000

Table 1b: Numbers below median net income (AHC)

Pensioner couples Single pensioners All pensioner unit

Below median 550,000 2,850,000 3,450,000

Above median 2,150,000 1,250,000 3,450,000

Total 2,750,000 4,100,000 6,850,000

Table 2a: Proportions under median income (BHC)

Proportion of each group with income below pensioners unit median (BHC) (Percentage)

Pensioner couples 20

Single pensioner 70

All pensioner units 50

Table 2b: Proportions under median income (AHC)

Proportion of each group with income below pensioners unit median (BHC) (Percentage)

Pensioner couples 21

Single pensioner 70

All pensioner units 50

Notes:

1. Statistics based on Family Resources Survey data 2002/3 for Great Britain.

2. Results in tables 1a and 1b are rounded to the nearest 50,000—due to rounding rows and columns may not sum to totals. Results in tables 2a and 2b rounded to the nearest 1 per cent.

3. The median net income of £189 for all pensioner units is based on unequivalised cash income.

4. The results are based on the incomes of the pensioner units themselves, it excludes any income from any other members of the households they are living in.

5. Single pensioners are defined as people above the State Pension Age, Pensioner Couples are defined as couples where the man is above State Pension Age. This is consistent with definitions used in the Pensioners' Incomes series.

§ Mr. Willetts
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what estimates he has made of the proportions of pension income coming from(a) state benefits and (b) funded pensions and other private services in each year since 1996–97 [177560]

§ Malcolm Wicks
The following table shows the proportion of pension income coming from state and private sources in each year from 1996–97 to 2002–03.
1262W

Proportion of state benefit and private pension and other private asset income

Percentage

State benefit Private pension and investment income

1996–97 58 42

1997–98 57 43

1998–99 56 44

1999–2000 57 43

2000–01 55 45

2001–02 57 43

2002–03 57 43

Notes:

1. State benefit income corresponds to benefit income as defined in the Pensioners' Income Series. The three main sources of benefit income are state retirement pension, disability benefit and income related benefits.

2. Private pension and other asset income corresponds to the sum of occupational pension income, personal pension income and investment income.

3. Estimates are subject to sampling error therefore definitive conclusions can not be drawn from small year-on-year changes in proportions.

Source:

Family Resources Survey 1996–97 to 2002–03.

Table 1a: Numbers below median net income (BHC)
	Pensioner couples	Single pensioners	All pensioner unit
Below median	550,000	2,850,000	3,450,000
Above median	2,200,000	1,250,000	3,450,000
Total	2,750,000	4,100,000	6,850,000

Table 1b: Numbers below median net income (AHC)
	Pensioner couples	Single pensioners	All pensioner unit
Below median	550,000	2,850,000	3,450,000
Above median	2,150,000	1,250,000	3,450,000
Total	2,750,000	4,100,000	6,850,000

Table 2a: Proportions under median income (BHC)
	Proportion of each group with income below pensioners unit median (BHC) (Percentage)
Pensioner couples	20
Single pensioner	70
All pensioner units	50

Table 2b: Proportions under median income (AHC)
	Proportion of each group with income below pensioners unit median (BHC) (Percentage)
Pensioner couples	21
Single pensioner	70
All pensioner units	50
Notes:
1. Statistics based on Family Resources Survey data 2002/3 for Great Britain.
2. Results in tables 1a and 1b are rounded to the nearest 50,000—due to rounding rows and columns may not sum to totals. Results in tables 2a and 2b rounded to the nearest 1 per cent.
3. The median net income of £189 for all pensioner units is based on unequivalised cash income.
4. The results are based on the incomes of the pensioner units themselves, it excludes any income from any other members of the households they are living in.
5. Single pensioners are defined as people above the State Pension Age, Pensioner Couples are defined as couples where the man is above State Pension Age. This is consistent with definitions used in the Pensioners' Incomes series.

Proportion of state benefit and private pension and other private asset income
Percentage
	State benefit	Private pension and investment income
1996–97	58	42
1997–98	57	43
1998–99	56	44
1999–2000	57	43
2000–01	55	45
2001–02	57	43
2002–03	57	43
Notes:
1. State benefit income corresponds to benefit income as defined in the Pensioners' Income Series. The three main sources of benefit income are state retirement pension, disability benefit and income related benefits.
2. Private pension and other asset income corresponds to the sum of occupational pension income, personal pension income and investment income.
3. Estimates are subject to sampling error therefore definitive conclusions can not be drawn from small year-on-year changes in proportions.
Source:
Family Resources Survey 1996–97 to 2002–03.