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Dept of Social Security

Answer

Mr. Viggers: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what steps he takes to ensure that his policies are shaped so that benefits are made available on a basis which is fair. [142147] Mr. Bayley: We are refocussing both policies and delivery to better address the needs of different client groups: Children and families are at the heart of the welfare reform agenda. More than a million children will be lifted out of poverty by measures introduced over this Parliament, including changes to Child Benefit and the introduction of the Working Families Tax Credit. We are setting up a new agency for people of working age that will provide a single access point helping those who can work to find work, and providing proper support for those who cannot. We are also committed to ensuring that pensioners share in the rising prosperity of this country. The Minimum Income Guarantee has boosted the income of the poorest pensioners. And we are creating Pension Credit to help pensioners with modest savings, occupational pensions or earnings, to ensure they are rewarded for working hard to make their own provision. We are also creating a new pensions organisation that will provide pensioners with a modern, integrated service.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

360 c77W; 142147

Session

2000-01

Question not reached

Yes

Subjects

Children Child benefit Executive agencies Employment Income support Families Pensioners Pensions Social security benefits Welfare tax credits Reform Working families tax credit

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk