Mr Major’s Written Parliamentary Answer on Pensioner Households – 12 March 1986

Below is the text of Mr Major’s written Parliamentary Answer on Pensioner Households on 12th March 1986.

Mr. Andrew Bowden Asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many pensioner households lost housing benefit as a result of the changes which came into effect in November 1985; and how many of these lost (a) up to £1 a week, (b) between £1 and £2 a week, (c) between £2 and £3 a week and (d) more than £3 a week.

Mr. Major I assume my hon. Friend has in mind the changes other than the normal uprating changes. The estimated number of pensioners whose housing benefit was less than it would otherwise have been because of the increase in the rate rebate taper above the needs allowance, offset where appropriate by the real improvement in the dependent child addition to the needs allowance, in November 1985 is as follows:

Reduction | Pensioners affected in Great Britain (in thousands)

Up to £1 | 1,310

£1 to £2 | 140

£2 to £3 | 10

Over £3 | *

TOTAL | 1,460

* Less than 5,000.