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Written question asked by David Laws (Liberal Democrat) on Wednesday, 22 November 2006, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 27 November 2006. It was answered by Anne McGuire (Labour) on Monday, 8 January 2007 on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.


Carers

Question
To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what his estimate is of the annual cost of abolishing the overlapping benefit rule for the carers allowance and basic state pension; and if he will make a statement.
Answer

The estimated gross cost of exempting all pensioners with entitlement to carer's allowance from the overlapping benefits rule would be around £660 million. After adjusting for offsets in income-related benefits and pension credit the net cost would be around £370 million. This estimate does not take account of carers presently not claiming carer's allowance who might be induced to do so by a change in the rules.


Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
103994; 455 c169W;455 c167W
Session
2006-07
Subjects
Carers Social security benefits
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk05010930000127