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Public Bodies
Dr. Wright: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) which of the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department publish (a) annual reports, (b) annual accounts, (c) the minutes of meetings, (d) the agendas of meetings and (e) a register of members' interests; and if this is in each case (i) under a statutory requirement or (ii) voluntary; [20896]
- (2) if he will list the executive non-departmental public bodies sponsored by his Department which are subject to (a) investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner, (b) scrutiny by the Audit Commission, (c) scrutiny by the National Audit Office, (d) statutory provisions for open government, (e) performance indicators and (f) provisions under the citizens charter. [20935]
Mr. Burt: The information is as follows:
The Occupational Pensions Board does not publish annual reports or accounts, minutes and agendas of meetings. It has compiled, voluntarily, a register of members' interests which is available for public inspection. On 5 March the board published a final report which contained a detailed history of the board's work and achievements. It is subject to investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner, scrutiny by the National Audit Office, the statutory provisions for open government and provisions under the citizens charter. It is not subject to performance indicators. The board will cease to exist from 6 April.
The Pensions Compensation Board was established in August 1996 and commences full operation on 6 April. It will publish an annual report and accounts. It is compiling voluntarily a register of members interests which will be available for public inspection. It is subject to investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner, scrutiny by the National Audit Office, the statutory provisions for open government and provisions under the citizens charter. It will also be subject to performance indicators.
19 Mar 1997 : Column: 677
The Occupational Regulatory Authority was established in April 1996 and commences full operation on 6 april 1997. It will publish an annual report and accounts. It has compiled voluntarily a register of members interests which is available for public inspection. It is subject to investigation by the Parliamentary Commissioner, scrutiny by the National Audit Office, the statutory provisions for open government and provisions under the citizens charter. It will also be subject to performance indicators.
Mr. Alan Howarth:
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 14 February, Official Report, column 342, to the hon. Member for Nuneaton (Mr. Olner), what is his estimate of the numbers of (a) women and (b) men who could gain if new claims for invalid care allowance were allowed for people over retirement age. [18982]
Mr. Burt:
The estimated number of women and men who would gain if new claims for invalid care allowance were allowed for people over the age of 65 are 65,000 and 5,000 respectively. Most of these are estimated to gain by only a small proportion of the basic invalid care allowance rate, because of the rules on contributory benefits. Those on income-related benefits would gain entitlement to carer premium.
Mr. Alan Howarth:
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his estimate of the costs and savings to individuals and employers of aligning the national insurance lower earnings limit and the personal tax allowance at (a) £62 and (b) £70 per week for the year 1997-98. [18978]
Note:
Estimates are rounded to the nearest thousand.
Source:
Family Resources Survey 1994-95.
| (a) £62 | (b) £70 | |
|---|---|---|
| Employee contributions(19) | Nil | -£575 million |
| Employer contributions(19) | Nil | + £100 million(20) |
| Income Tax(21) | + £4.7 billion(22) | + £2.3 billion(22) |
Notes:
(19) Source: Government Actuary's Department.
(20) The estimated net gain in revenue from employers' national insurance contributions arises from the counter effect of the contracted-out rebate being applied to a narrower band of earnings.
(21) Source: Inland Revenue.
(22) Estimates based on information projected from the 1994-95 survey of personal incomes and the 1994-95 family expenditure survey. Figures include the tax yield from reducing the aged personal allowances for people aged 65, whose total income is greater than the aged income limit of £15,600, or over to a minimum level equivalent to (a) £62 per week or (b) £70 per week.
19 Mar 1997 : Column: 678
National Insurance
Ms Corston: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, pursuant to his answer of 27 February, Official Report, column 309, what percentage of the total amount of national insurance contributions from employees was paid by (a) those with more than twice and (b) those with less than average earnings in (i) 1979-80 and (ii) 1995-96. [19681]
Mr. Heald: The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the table.
Figures for 1979-80 are not available and could only be provided a disproportionate cost.
| 1995-96 | |
|---|---|
| More than twice average earnings | 12.8 |
| Less than average earnings | 35.3 |
Source:
Government Actuary's Department.
Personal Pensions
Ms Harman: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is the net present cost, in 1996 prices, of national insurance rebates and incentives paid to those who have joined appropriate personal pensioners since 1988-89, assuming the social discount rate used by his Department. [19950]
Mr. Heald: I refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave the hon. Member for Southampton, Itchen (Mr. Denham) on 20 February, Official Report, column 712.
Housing Benefit
Ms Harman: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what estimate he has made of the additional housing benefit costs in (i) 1997-98 and (ii) 1998-99 arising from the provisions under (a) section 167 and (b) section 197 of the Housing Act 1996. [21133]
Mr. Roger Evans: No estimates are available.
Ms Harman: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many (a) single people under the age of 25 years and (b) single people aged 25 to 59 years living in the private rented sector made a claim for housing benefit prior to 2 January 1996 which is still continuous.[21139]
Mr. Evans: The information is not available.
Jobseeker's Allowance
Mr. Darling: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will give a breakdown of the costs associated with the establishment of the jobseeker's allowance in Scotland. [20973]
Mr. Roger Evans: The information is not available in the format requested.
The overall one-off costs of implementing the jobseeker's allowance in Great Britain are estimated at £348 million.
19 Mar 1997 : Column: 679
Mr. Darling:
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the estimated total cost of long-term unemployment in Scotland in 1996, separately identifying the costs of (a) the jobseeker's allowance, (b) housing benefit and (c) income support; and if he will indicate the number of people in receipt of such benefits. [20974]
Mr. Roger Evans:
The information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is set out in the table:
| Number of claimants | Total weekly benefit | Implied annual expenditure | |
|---|---|---|---|
| £ | £ | ||
| Income support | 83,000 | 4,506,000 | 234,000,000 |
| Unemployment benefit | 13,000 | 664,000 | 35,000,000 |
| Housing benefit | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Notes:
1. The latest available information for expenditure purposes in May 1996. Since jobseeker's allowance was not introduced until October 1996 figures for unemployment benefit have been provided.
2. It has not been possible to include figures on housing benefit since data are not yet available for 1996. Once data are available, analysis is limited to claimants also in receipt of income support.
3. Long-term unemployed has been defined as those claiming unemployment benefit for more than six months and includes those who receive income support only.
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