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1240/5(5993)
WRITTEN QUESTION TO THE MINISTER FOR SOCIAL SECURITY BY SENATOR F. du H. LE GRESLEY
ANSWER TO BE TABLED ON TUESDAY 15th FEBRUARY 2011
Question
Would the Minister provide a breakdown of the 1400 pensioner aged 65 plus households which claimed the GST Food Costs Bonus in 2010 by the following household type:-
- pensioners who live alone
- couples-one pensioner
- couples- both pensioners?
Would the Minister provide details of actual expenditure in 2010 against budget for the GST Food Costs Bonus and for Income Support Special Payments-Cold Weather Payments and the budget figures for each benefit for 2011?
Answer
The figure of 1,400 quoted by Senator Le Gresley comes from an initial estimate of approximately 1,050 to 1,400 pensioner households. After detailed analysis the actual number is 979.
The table below provides a breakdown of 2010 Food Costs Bonus claims by pensioners in household type:
Household Type | Number of claims |
Pensioners who live alone | 547 |
Couples - one pensioner | 68 |
Couples - both pensioner | 364 |
Total | 979 |
In respect of Food Costs Bonus and Income Support Cold Weather payments, the budget and spend are as follows:
2010
Budget Actual Spend (£) (£)
GST Food Costs Bonus 800,000 205,784 Income Support Cold Weather Payments 750,400 628,669
Please note that the spend figures quoted for 2010 are subject to audit.
2011
Budget (£)
Food Costs Bonus 385,633 Income Support Cold Weather Payments 727,750
Removal of the Food Costs Bonus was submitted as a savings proposal as part of the Comprehensive Spending Review process for 2011. This proposal was subsequently amended twice resulting in the retention of the bonus with a revised budget reflecting current spend. However, as a result of recent close working with the Income Tax Department and analysis of the Income Distribution Survey data, the number of over 65's claiming the Food Costs Bonus currently is approximately one third of the potential claimants in this age group. The current budget reflects the possibility of some increased take up with an additional £75,000 as a result of the increase in GST from June. If all eligible households did claim the current budget would be insufficient.