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Dept of Social Security

Answer

Mr. Flynn: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how much better off than in the previous year, on average (a) single pensioners and (b) pensioner couples on Income Support aged (i) under 75, (ii) 75 to 79 and (iii) 80 years or over were in (1) April 1998, (2) April 1999, (3) April 2000 and (4) April 1997, (X) in cash terms, (Y) in real terms and (Z) relative to average earnings, taking into account winter fuel payments and the reduction in VAT on fuel. [111810] Mr. Rooker: The information requested is in the table. The weekly gain to pensioners on Income Support taking into account winter fuel payments and the reduction in VAT on fuel _________________________________________________________________________________________________. Actual weekly increase Real value of {1} Actual percentage Average earnings on previous year uprated to April 2000 increase on previous percentage increase {3} including winter fuel prices {2} year payment and estimated saving due to reduction in VAT {1} £ £ % % Single Pensioners April 1997 {4} Under 75 2.30 2.45 3.5 4.2 75 to 79 2.40 2.55 3.5 4.2 80 and over 2.65 2.80 3.6 4.2 April 1998 Under 75 2.90 3.05 4.2 4.1 75 to 79 2.95 3.10 4.2 4.1 80 and over 3.05 3.20 4.2 4.1 April 1999 Under 75 4.55 4.60 6.3 4.9 75 to 79 4.60 4.65 6.2 4.9 80 and over 4.75 4.85 6.0 4.9 April 2000 Under 75 3.45 3.45 4.5 4.5 75 to 79 3.55 3.55 4.5 4.5 80 and over 3.80 3.80 4.5 4.5 Pensioner Couples April 1997 {4} Under 75 3.55 3.80 3.4 4.2 75 to 79 3.75 4.00 3.5 4.2 80 and over 4.00 4.25 3.6 4.2 April 1998 Under 75 3.80 3.95 3.6 4.1 75 to 79 3.90 4.05 3.6 4.1 80 and over 4.00 4.15 3.5 4.1 April 1999 Under 75 7.25 7.35 6.6 4.9 75 to 79 7.30 7.40 6.4 4.9 80 and over 7.40 7.50 6.2 4.9 April 2000 Under 75 5.35 5.35 4.5 4.5 75 to 79 5.50 5.50 4.5 4.5 80 and over 5.75 5.75 4.5 4.5 _________________________________________________________________________________________________. {1} Winter fuel payments of £50 per year from January 1998 to November 1999 and then £100 from December 1999, per Income Support claimants, divided by 52 to give weekly increase. Saving due to reduction in VAT on fuel estimated at £16 per year divided by 52 to give weekly gain. {2} For income related benefits the Rossi index (Retail Prices Index less rent, local taxes and mortgage interest payment) as published by the Office for National Statistics. {3} Average Earnings are taken from the New Earnings Survey (NES) estimates of earnings for all full-time adult employees, as published by the Office for National Statistics. {4} Winter fuel payments not payable until 9 November 1998. Note: The figures are rounded to the nearest 5 pence at each uprating.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

111810; 345 c161-3W

Session

1999-00

Subjects

Income support Fuels Income Personal income Pensioners VAT Winter fuel payment Average earnings

Contains statistics

Yes