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Pension Miscalculations
Mr. Denham: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many women he estimates will have their pension payments reduced as a result of the miscalculation of their entitlement to their deceased husband's private and state earnings-related pension; what estimate he has made of the overpayment to date; and if he will make a statement. [14754]
Mr. Heald: It is estimated that around 12,000 widows will have their benefits reduced. The total overpayment is estimated at £7.5 million. The exact figures will be known only when the examination of all cases is completed at the end of March.
We will not be seeking to recover the overpayment.
Note:
The estimates are derived from a 1 per cent. sample of the national insurance recording system database.
Income Support
Mr. Gapes: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many men aged 55 to 64 years received income support at the present time; and what was the equivalent figure for supplementary benefit in 1979. [14348]
Mr. Roger Evans: The latest information shows that 334,000 men aged 55 to 64 receive income support. The equivalent figure for 1979 was 116,000.
Notes:
1. Source: Supplementary benefit annual statistical inquiry 1979 and the February 1995 income support quarterly inquiry.
2. All figures have been rounded to the nearest thousand.
Pensioner Couples
25. Dr. Spink: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what help from public funds is available to a pensioner couple with no outside income; and if he will make a statement. [14376]
Mr. Heald: We have a comprehensive structure of benefits to support pensioner couples. This ensures that they have access to an income of more than £100 a week.
We have comprehensive structure of benefits to support pensioner couples. It includes the state retirement pension, an attendance allowance for disabled pensioners and income-related benefits such as income support and housing benefit for pensioners on a low income. Our measures ensure that pensioner couples have access to income of more than £100 a week.
Departmental Suppliers
Mrs. Roche: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to ensure that his Department identifies the size of its suppliers by the number of their employees. [15596]
Mr. Burt:
The Department of Social Security's procedural guidelines on procurement require that potential suppliers to the Department are asked to provide information about the size of their work force.
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Mr. Steen:
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will list each regulatory body for which he is responsible indicating for each the percentage of business people on the board. [15738]
Mr. Roger Evans:
The Department of Social Security has responsibility for only one regulatory authority--the
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Occupational Pensions Board, OPB. Under the terms of the Pension Schemes Act 1993, the OPB is required to consist of a chairman, a deputy chairman and not fewer than eight nor more than 12 other members, one of whom is required to be appointed after consultation with organisations representative of employers. Of the current total membership of 14, 12--85 per cent.--are business people.