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Drug Crime
29. Mrs. Ann Winterton: To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent assessment he has made of the criminal activity involving illegal drugs in Northern Ireland. [149977]
Mr. Ingram: The drugs scene in Northern Ireland is composed of a network of importers, distributors, street level dealers and users. Paramilitary organisations are involved to differing degrees both in the procurement and supply of controlled drugs. The extent to which these groups are involved is cloudy and may be on an individual member basis rather than sanctioned by the respective leadership of these groups.
The Royal Ulster Constabulary continues, with other organisations, to combat drug related crime within the resources available to it.
SOCIAL SECURITY
Benefits Information
Mr. Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) if he will (a) list the circulars, advice and guidelines that have been issued to local Benefits Agency offices in respect of each benefit since May 1997 and (b) place copies in the Library; [148493]
- (2) if he will list the adjudication and operations circulars and guidelines that have been issued to local Benefits Agency offices since May 1997 and place copies of these in the Library. [151452]
Angela Eagle: The Benefits Agency issues guidance to its local offices on decision-making (formerly adjudication) on benefits for which it is responsible. The Agency also issues a wide range of material providing technical support to staff and guidance on operational issues affecting the day-to-day administration of benefits.
Since May 1997, the Agency has issued 232 items of adjudication and decision-making guidance. Copies of this guidance are held in the Library.
It is impractical to list or place copies in the Library of all items of technical support and operational guidance that have been issued because of the range and diversity of the material. However, if the hon. Member can indicate particular areas of interest, documents can be listed or obtained in line with Open Government principles.
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Benefits Statistics
Mr. Field: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will update the table, using the latest statistical information his Department has, stating sources in each case, published on 9 November 1998, Official Report, column 96W. [150877]
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Angela Eagle [holding answer 26 February 2001]: The table gives uprated estimates for the Social Security benefits included in the previous table. Working Families Tax Credit is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend, the Chancellor of the Exchequer.
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| Thousand | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Income Support/ Jobseeker's Allowance (income related) | Housing Benefit | Council Tax Benefit | |
| Single (no children) | 2,610 | 2,200 | 2,640 |
| Couple (no children) | 450 | 690 | 1,080 |
| Lone parent (one child) | 510 | 450 | 450 |
| Lone parent (two children) | 320 | 310 | 310 |
| Lone parent (three or more children) | 230 | 210 | 210 |
| Couple (one child) | 120 | 130 | 140 |
| Couple (two children) | 150 | 150 | 160 |
| Couple (three or more children) | 170 | 150 | 160 |
| Total benefit units with at least one person receiving benefit | 4,560 | 4,300 | 5,160 |
| Total number of adults in benefit units where at least one person receiving benefit | 5,440 | 5,420 | 6,700 |
| Total number of children in benefit units where at least one person receiving benefit | 2,960 | 2,800 | 2,860 |
Notes:
1. All figures are rounded to the nearest 10,000 and totals may not sum due to rounding.
Households may be in receipt of more than one of the benefits shown. Consequently, the sum of the totals will not represent an overall estimate for adults and children on income-related benefits.
2. The Income Support column of the original table also included Jobseeker's Allowance recipients, and has been updated accordingly.
3. Figures are derived from the Department policy simulation model, and are based on the 1997-98 Family Resources Survey uprated to 2000-01 prices, benefit levels and caseloads. Actual data are not available for Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit beyond May 1999.
4. Total numbers in receipt of the above benefits are consistent with the Department's 2000 post budget forecasts.
5. The total number of adults represents those aged 16 and over, except for those 16 to 18 year olds in full time education. The total number of children represents those aged under 16, and 16 to 18 year olds in full time education.
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Pensioner Incomes
Mr. Burstow: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will estimate the (a) number and (b) percentage of single pensioners with gross weekly incomes of between (i) £78 and £134, and (ii) £122 and £134; and if he will estimate the (1) number and (2) percentage of pensioner couples with gross weekly incomes of between (A) £124 and £200 and (B) £188 and £200. [151137]
Mr. Rooker: The information is in the table.
| Gross income between: | Number | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Single pensioners with gross income falling in selected bands--1998-99 | ||
| £78 and £134 | 1,960,000 | 44 |
| £122 and £134 | 490,000 | 11 |
| Pensioners couples with gross income falling in selected bands--1998-99 | ||
| £124 and £200 | 1,080,000 | 27 |
| £188 and £200 | 170,000 | 4 |
Notes:
1. Estimates are rounded to the nearest 10,000 or 1 per cent. but are not necessarily accurate to that degree since they are subject to sampling error.
2. Gross weekly income includes benefit income and is at July 1998 prices.
3. Single pensioners are defined as anyone aged over 60.
4. Pensioner couples are defined as married or cohabiting couples where either partner is aged over 60.
Source:
Family Resources Survey (FRS) 1998-99
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Child Poverty (Jarrow)
Mr. Hepburn: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the child poverty levels in the Jarrow constituency were in (a) 1997 and (b) 2001. [151006]
Mr. Bayley: Poverty and social exclusion are complex multi-dimensional issues, affecting many aspects of children's lives--their families' income, health, housing, the quality of their environment and opportunities to learn. There is no single measure that can capture the complex problems that need to be overcome.
However, a number of these aspects have seen significant improvement in Jarrow since 1997. For example, the proportion of 11-year-olds achieving level four or above at Key Stage 2 has risen in both english and mathematics from around 60 per cent. to over 70 per cent. in 2000. Over the same period the number of children in families in receipt of out of work benefits has fallen from 4,900 to 4,500.
Winter Fuel Payments
Mrs. Fyfe: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what plans he has to extend the heating allowance paid to pensioners on Income Support to those pensioners who have small private or occupational pensions. [151186]
Mr. Rooker: Winter Fuel Payments, this winter £200 for eligible households, are not means-tested and are paid to the majority of people from age 60. People eligible
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for a payment and who might be in receipt of a small private or occupational pension would already be included in the scheme.
Cold Weather Payments are paid to people who are in receipt of Income Support or income-based Jobseeker's Allowance and get either a disability or pensioner premium or have a child under five. A payment of £8.50 is made automatically when the average temperature at the specified weather station linked to their postcode has been recorded as, or is forecast to be, 0oC or below over seven consecutive days. There are no plans to extend this scheme.
Benefit Take-up
Mr. Simon Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the Benefits Agency's role is in promoting benefits take-up. [151365]
Angela Eagle: We are keen to ensure that people are in an informed position to make choices on whether to claim benefit and we are the first Government to encourage the active pursuit of take-up initiatives as a means of tackling pensioner poverty. The Benefits Agency was instrumental in running the national take-up campaign for the minimum income guarantee. Additionally, it is involved in a wide range of national and local initiatives to ensure accurate and accessible information is available, including leaflets, information officers, liaison with local groups, and talks.
Adjudication and Operations Circulars
Mr. Willetts: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security for what reason he has released a Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit Adjudication and Operations Circular numbered F00. [151450]
Angela Eagle: We have no record of issuing a circular numbered F00.
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