| Previous Section | Index | Home Page |
Pensioner Incomes
Mr. Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the proportion of single pensioners aged 80 years or above who are currently in receipt of income support; and if he will provide corresponding estimates for (a) 1994, (b) 1989, (c) 1984, (d) 1979, (e) 1974 and (f) 1969. [84758]
Mr. Timms: Information is not available in the format requested. Such information as is available is in the table.
| Year | Total claimants | Proportion of population Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| 1974 | 335,000 | 25.4 |
| 1979 | 351,000 | 24.4 |
| 1984 | 434,000 | 25.4 |
| 1989 | 407,000 | 20.1 |
| 1994 | 531,000 | 23.4 |
| 1998 | 617,000 | 26.7 |
Notes:
1. Pensioner refers to single claimants only, aged 80 and over.
2. Figures are rounded to the nearest thousand cases, percentages to one decimal place and are subject to a degree of sampling error.
3. Income Support replaced Supplementary Benefit in April 1988.
4. Numbers are given at a point in time. For 1974 and 1979 the month was November. For 1984 the month was December, and from 1989-1998 the month was May.
5. Population figures are based on total population (regardless of marital status) aged 80 years and over.
6. Proportion of population percentages have been calculated using the relevant year of mid-term population estimates, apart from 1998 when mid-term 1997 population estimates were used.
7. Sample sizes: 1974: Supplementary Pension cases 1 in 160; 1979: Supplementary Pension cases 1 in 200; 1984: Supplementary Pension cases 1 in 200 ; 1989: 1 in 100; 1994 to date: 1 in 20.
Sources:
1. Supplementary Benefit/Income Support Annual Statistical Enquiries, 1974 -1994.
2. Income Support Quarterly Statistical Enquiry, November 1998.
3. Office National Statistics population estimates mid-1974 to mid-1997.
24 May 1999 : Column: 55
Mr. Webb: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many individuals received an age addition to the basic state pension (a) in the year in which it was introduced, (b) at five year intervals thereafter and (c) in the latest year for which figures are available. [84757]
Mr. Timms: The information is in the table.
| Million | |
|---|---|
| Inquiry date | Number of people |
| December 1971 | 1.2 |
| November 1976 | 1.4 |
| November 1981 | 1.6 |
| September 1986 | 1.9 |
| September 1991 | 2.2 |
| September 1996 | 2.4 |
| January 1999 | 2.4 |
Note:
Figures have been rounded to the nearest hundred thousand.
Sources:
1. December 1971 and November 1976: Figures from Social Security Statistics based on a 10 per cent. sample excluding clerical cases.
2. November 1981-September 1991: 10 per cent. sample of Central Pensions Branch system.
3. September 1996 and January 1999: 5 per cent. sample of Pensions Strategy Computer System.
Sheltered Housing
Dr. Cable: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations his Department has received from social landlords and independent care providers on the Government's proposals for funding sheltered housing under new housing benefit arrangements. [84832]
Angela Eagle: In response to the publication of the consultation document "Supporting People: A new policy and funding framework for support services" on 10 December, we received a total of 128 representations about our proposal for including sheltered housing in the new Supporting People funding arrangements. Sixty-five of those representations were from Registered Social Landlords and independent care providers, and 31 from local authorities.
Responses from providers of sheltered housing welcomed the integration of support services for older people, as well as the fact that access to support funding would no longer be tied to type of tenure. The main concern expressed related to the practicalities of implementing the new funding regime.
We decided to include sheltered housing in the long-term proposals because our aim is to improve the integration of supported and sheltered housing within local strategies for housing and community care. Working alongside existing Government programmes, the new Supporting People funding regime will give the provision of support services, such as those provided by wardens in sheltered accommodation, the priority it deserves. Supporting People will bring long-term stability to the sector by placing for the first time the funding of support services on a secure, sustainable and legal footing.
24 May 1999 : Column: 56
We recognise the importance of getting the practical details right. That is why we are committed to working with interested parties to ensure that the new system delivers on its objectives and becomes an effective and workable reality.
We hope to publish the analysis of responses to the consultation paper shortly.
Mr. Maude:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on current guidance for the use of bulk X-ray equipment by Her Majesty's Customs and Excise to combat smuggling. [85107]
Dawn Primarolo:
Her Majesty's Customs and Excise do not presently use bulk X-ray equipment.
If such equipment becomes available for Customs, guidance for its use will be drawn up by operational managers in consultation with the Department's technical and Radiation Protection advisers.
Mr. Maude:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what is his policy on the marking of tobacco products for sale in the United Kingdom. [85106]
Dawn Primarolo:
The marking of tobacco products for fiscal purposes is not currently required in the United Kingdom. The report of the Alcohol and Tobacco Fraud Review, published in July 1998, recommended that marking should be considered. While the form of marking proposed by that Review has proved impractical for legal reasons, Customs and Excise is currently reviewing other marking options.
Mr. Gibb:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his answer of 16 April 1999, Official Report, columns 387-90, on taxation, if he will publish the figures on the basis of the assumptions for household spending and council tax payment which were used in the answer to the right hon. Member for Edinburgh, Central (Mr. Darling) of 11 December 1996, Official Report, columns 190-202. [81712]
Dawn Primarolo:
Estimating the impact of indirect taxes on the basis of average assumptions about household spending is imprecise as spending patterns vary widely between households with the same composition and income, with the consumption of the majority of goods and services far from universal. For example, only around one third of adults are smokers. This can be contrasted with direct taxes and benefits where at specified earnings and for particular household types there is a known benefit entitlement or tax liability.
24 May 1999 : Column: 57
Mr. Maude:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will state the reasons for not applying the VAT (Sport, Sports Competitions and Physical Education) Order 1999 from 1 April; and when he expects to bring it into force. [85110]
Dawn Primarolo:
Following discussion of the proposed legislation with sports representative bodies, HM Customs and Excise are making changes to the draft Order. A further announcement will be made as soon as possible.
Mr. Maude:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer how many representations he has received regarding the Online VAT Return. [85099]
Dawn Primarolo:
This year's Finance Bill allows Customs and Excise to provide new electronic services including VAT returns on the internet.
In response to an announcement in the VAT Notes, issued to all VAT registered businesses, over 300 representations have been received, 99 per cent. of which not only welcomed this initiative but also stated a preference for an internet-based service.
No formal consultation exercise is planned. Some businesses and individual taxpayers will wish to send tax information on paper and we will continue to offer this option.
Mr. Maude:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what assessment he has made of the implications for the VAT (Input Tax) Order 1992 of the judgment of the European Court against the Republic of Italy (Case C-45/95). [85098]
Dawn Primarolo:
This European Court judgment does not directly affect the VAT (Input Tax) Order 1992, as the effect of the judgment is to introduce new exemptions from VAT. However, implementing these exemptions will involve some consequential changes to the Order. Details of these, and of other proposed related changes, are set out in a Technical Note issued by HM Customs and Excise on 21 April 1999, a copy of which has been placed in the House of Commons Library.
Mr. Maude:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what external legal advice he has received regarding the VAT treatment of the supply of an interest in land and buildings following the judgment of the European Court against the Republic of Italy (Case C-45/95); and if he will make a statement. [85097]
Dawn Primarolo:
Customs have met with Treasury Counsel over this issue and they are awaiting his written opinion. Most property transactions are, however, already exempt from VAT.
Mr. Maude:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the VAT liability in respect of (a) room hire, (b) creche facilities and (c) catering franchises contracted out by local authorities. [85109]
Dawn Primarolo:
The VAT liability of supplies made by local authorities is no different from that applying to other suppliers. VAT charged on supplies made to local authorities can normally be reclaimed from Customs and Excise.
24 May 1999 : Column: 58
Mr. Maude:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what plans he has to continue reviewing the VAT registration threshold; and if he will make a statement. [85108]
Dawn Primarolo:
Following the recent Budget, I asked Customs to work further with business to explore whether it is possible to cushion the impact of VAT registration on growing businesses. This further work, together with representations received during the 1998 consultation exercise on the VAT registration threshold, will inform future Budget decisions on this issue.
Mr. Maude:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what his policy is on VAT exemptions for trade unions following the European Court ruling in the Institute of the Motor Industry case (No C-149/97). [85111]
Dawn Primarolo:
Subscriptions to trade unions remain exempt from VAT.
Mr. Maude:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer from what dates he expects the VAT (Goods Used for Exempt Supplies) Order 1999 to apply; and if he will make a statement. [85117]
Dawn Primarolo:
In their technical note which asked businesses for comments on the changes covered by this Order, Customs expected that the Order would take effect from 1 September 1999, but this will depend on the comments received from businesses and on the process of parliamentary drafting.
Mr. Maude:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will estimate the revenue implications for the Exchequer following the judgment of the European Court against the Republic of Italy (Case C-45/95). [85113]
Dawn Primarolo:
Customs and Excise expect there to be a revenue gain of around £15 million per year, because some businesses will be unable to recover input VAT on expenses associated with the newly exempt sales of business cars. They expect this to be offset in the first year by a revenue loss of £10 million, arising from repayments made to certain non-profit making bodies, under a related change that will permit them to recover VAT on publications supplied to members.
Mr. Maude:
To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer if he will make a statement on the definition of a car for VAT purposes following the judgment of the European Court against the Republic of Italy (Case C-45/95). [85112]
Dawn Primarolo:
This European Court judgment does not directly affect the definition of a car for VAT purposes, though the proposed legislation to implement the new exemption will make certain minor--and unrelated--technical changes to the definition. Details of these, and of other proposed related changes, are set out in a Technical Note issued by HM Customs and Excise on 21 April 1999, a copy of which has been placed in the House of Commons Library.
24 May 1999 : Column: 59
| Next Section | Index | Home Page |