Hansard

Pensions

Volume 330: debated on Tuesday 27 April 1999

Download text
Back to top Previous debate Next debate
The text on this page has been created from Hansard archive content, it may contain typographical errors.
Mr. Webb

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security by how much it would be possible to increase the basic state pension, taking into account savings on means-tested benefits and increases in income tax revenues, if the £100 winter fuel payment were abolished and all the proceeds spent on the basic state pension. [81975]

Mr. Timms

The amount allocated for Winter Fuel Payments for 1999–2000 is £0.8 billion. We estimate that this would provide an increase in the basic State pension for one year only in the order of £2.55 a week for Category A cases and £1.50 a week for category BL cases.

Notes:

  • 1. The gross costs underlying this estimate have been provided by the Government Actuary's Department.
  • 2. Income tax offsets were provided by the Inland Revenue.
  • 3. Means-tested benefit offsets were estimated using the 1996–97 Family Resources Survey and the 1997 Quarterly Statistical Enquiry and are in 1999–2000 prices, earnings and benefit levels.
  • 4. The estimate provides a broad order of magnitude and is rounded to the nearest£0.05.