Written question asked by Claire Curtis-Thomas (Labour) on Friday, 11 February 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 22 February 2000. It was answered by Lord Rooker (Labour) on Tuesday, 22 February 2000 on behalf of the Department of Social Security.

Dept of Social Security

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, what assessment he has made of the number of people over the age of 60 years who are not claiming the benefits to which they are entitled in (a) the UK and (b) Sefton. - Latest estimates of take-up of income related benefits covering the year 1997-98 for Great Britain were placed in the Library on 24 September 1999.

Answer: Mrs. Curtis-Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what assessment he has made of the number of people over the age of 60 years who are not claiming the benefits to which they are entitled in (a) the UK and (b) Sefton. [110364] Mr. Rooker: Latest estimates of take-up of income related benefits covering the year 1997-98 for Great Britain were placed in the Library on 24 September 1999. It is not possible to produce reliable estimates of numbers not claiming their entitlement at local level.

Secondary information