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Written question asked by Baroness Hollis of Heigham (Labour), in the House of Lords. It was answered by Lord McKenzie of Luton (Labour) on Wednesday, 7 February 2007.

Benefits: Incapacity Benefit and Disability Living Allowance

Question
asked Her Majesty's Government:Further to the Written Answer by Lord McKenzie of Luton on 17 January (HL604, 605 and 606), what is their estimate of the number of people of working age who currently do not qualify for a national insurance credit or contribution, and who (a) now provide care for an individual or individuals on IB or lower rate disability living allowance for 20 hours or more per week; and (b) will provide such care in 2025.
Answer

a) Analysis of the Family Resources Survey shows that, of those people currently caring for at least 20 hours a week, around 120,000 are not building entitlement to the basic state pension and around 240,000 are not accruing entitlement to state second pension. It is possible that some of these will be caring for individuals with lower rate disability living allowance or on incapacity benefit, but due to data limitations it is not possible to say precisely how many. b) We estimate that of those people caring for at least 20 hours a week in 2025 around 220,000 may not be building entitlement to the basic state pension and around 330,000 may not be accruing entitlement to state second pension. It is possible that some of these will be caring for individuals with lower rate disability living allowance or on incapacity benefit, but due to data limitations it is not possible to estimate how many. Others may be caring for individuals who are awarded the middle or highest rate care component disability living allowance, attendance allowance or constant attendance allowance and therefore could qualify for the basic state pension or state second pension through the (proposed) new carer's credit from 2010. Notes: Figures are based on the Family Resources Survey of the number of people who currently report themselves to be caring for 20 hours or more a week and who are not otherwise qualifying for basic state pension and/or the state second pension. 2025 estimates also reflect demographic trends and the department's carer's allowance caseload projections.

Secondary information

Type
Written question
Reference
689 c137-8WA; 1467
Session
2006-07
Related items
Carers
Thursday, 17 May 2007
Written questions
House of Lords
Carers
Thursday, 17 May 2007
Written questions
House of Lords
Subjects
Carers Pension rights State retirement pensions
Contains statistics
Yes
Link
View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk