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Pensions: Luton

Volume 472: debated on Wednesday 5 March 2008

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what assessment he has made of trends in pensioner poverty in Luton since 1997; (188243)

(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.

Pensioners living in households with less than 60 per cent. of contemporary median household income after housing costs in East of England: 1995-96 to 2005-06

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions how many applications for pension credit have been (a) successful and (b) refused in Luton since its introduction. (188240)

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) how many pensioners have received pension credit in Luton South constituency since its introduction; (188241)

(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 and average weekly amounts of pension credit for Luton South parliamentary constituency

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

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the average value of pension paid to pensioners was in Luton in each year since 1997; and what the average change was in such value in each year. (188247)

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