HC Deb 25 May 2004 vol 421 cc1586-7W
Mr. Jenkins

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the estimated total income for pensioners from(a) benefits and (b) private sources is since 1992; and what this figure is as a percentage. [172494]

Mr. Willetts

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his latest estimate is of the proportion of pensioners' income coming from(a) state and (b) private sources. [175069]

Malcolm Wicks

There is no single data source which covers pensioners' benefit and private incomes between 1992 and the present. The information provided is based on Family Expenditure Survey data between 1992 and 1996–97 and Family Resources Survey data between 1994–95 and 2002–03. Direct comparisons between information from the two surveys should not be made.

The table shows the average weekly income for pensioner units (pensioner couples and single pensioners) in 2002–03 prices and rounded to the nearest pound. Private sources of income include private pension income, investments, earnings and other types of income.

Benefit income Private income
Gross income £ per week Percentage of total £ per week Percentage of total
Family Expenditure Survey data
1992 213 107 50 106 50
1993 212 113 53 99 47
1994–95 226 118 52 109 48
1995–96 232 117 51 115 49
1996–97 230 122 53 108 47
Family Resources Survey data
1994–95 220 117 53 103 47
1995–96 216 118 55 98 45
1996–97 230 121 53 108 47
1997–98 234 123 52 111 48
1998–99 243 124 51 118 49
1999–2000 252 130 52 121 48
2000–01 265 133 50 132 50
2001–02 273 138 51 133 49
2002–03 277 142 51 134 48
Notes:
1. Private and benefit income may not sum to total gross income due to rounding, and because free TV licences for over 75s are included in total income but not in either benefit or private income.
2. Percentages are calculated from unrounded cash figures.
3. Analysis consistent with Pensioners' Incomes 2002–03.
4. Family Expenditure Survey Figures are for the UK, Family Resources Survey Figures are for Great Britain.