(2) how many pensioners in Luton are living in poverty.
Specific information regarding low income for the United Kingdom is available in “Households Below Average Income 1994-95—2005-06”.
The data source does not allow us to provide robust numbers for estimates below the level of Government office region. Information on the number and percentage of pensioners in the East of England living in households with less than 60 per cent. of contemporary median income after housing costs is set out in the following table.
Three-year averages Number of pensioners (million) Percentage of pensioners 1995-96—1997-98 0.26 28 1996-97—1998-99 0.27 29 1997-98—1999-2000 0.27 28 1998-99—2000-01 0.27 28 1999-2000—2001-02 0.25 26 2000-01—2002-03 0.25 25 2001-02—2003-04 0.24 24 2002-03—2004-05 0.22 21 2003-04—2005-06 0.18 18 Notes: 1. Three survey year averages are given for each of the regions as robust single year estimates cannot be produced because of the sample sizes for individual regions. 2. The income measures used to derive the estimates shown employ the same methodology as the Department for Work and Pensions publication ‘Households Below Average Income’ (HBAI) series, which uses disposable household income, adjusted (or “equivalised”) for household size and composition, as an income measure as a proxy for standard of living. Income is assessed after deducting housing costs. 3. The figures are based on OECD equivalisation factors. 4. Figures are based on survey data and as such are subject to a degree of sampling and non-sampling error. 5. As part of PSA17 Delivery Agreement, three indicators of low income poverty will be monitored: the percentage of pensioners below 60 per cent. contemporary median income, 50 per cent. median income and 60 per cent. of 1998-99 median income uprated in line with prices, all measured after housing costs. Source: Family Resources Survey
In Luton, South there have been 5,910 successful claims to pension credit since its introduction through to May 2007. Information on the number of claims that have been refused is not available.
Source:
DWP Information Directorate Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study
(2) what the average value of pension credit paid in Luton South constituency has been since introduction.
The information is in the following table.
Household recipients Average weekly amounts of pension credit (£) November 2003 3,390 56.32 May 2004 4,030 52.91 May 2005 4,260 54.12 May 2006 4,330 56.29 May 2007 4,330 59.73 Notes: 1. The number of households in receipt are rounded to the nearest 10. 2. Average amounts are rounded to the nearest penny. 3. Pension credit was introduced in October 2003 so data for 2003 are as at November. 4. Household recipients are those people who claim pension credit either for themselves only or on behalf of a household. Source: DWP Information Directorate Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study 100 per cent. data
Such information as is readily available is in the following table:
Luton, South parliamentary constituency Average weekly amount of state pension Change in weekly average amount September 1999 69.08 — September 2000 70.25 1.17 September 2001 75.95 5.70 May 2002 78.60 — May 2003 81.39 2.79 May 2004 84.46 3.07 May 2005 87.65 3.19 May 2006 91.00 3.35 May 2007 95.22 4.22 Notes: 1. 1999-2001 numbers are based on a five per cent sample and are therefore subject to a degree of sampling variation. 2. The change in average has not been calculated between 2001 and 2002 as sample data are not available at May. 3. Parliamentary constituency breakdowns are not readily available before September 1999. 4. Figures are rounded to the nearest penny. 5. State pension includes basic state pension, additional pension and graduated retirement benefit. Source: 1999-2001, 5 per cent. sample, DWP Information Directorate. 2002-07, 100 per cent. DWP Information Directorate: Work and Pensions Longitudinal Study