State Pension Credit Bill [Lords]
9:30 am
Mr Tim Boswell (Daventry, Conservative)
On a point of order, Mr. Griffiths. You will recall that at the end of our previous sitting we were discussing amendment No. 14. I had concluded my remarks and I do not intend to re-open that discussion. Can Ministers comment on the imputed calculation of income as a result of yesterday's Budget? Given that the Chancellor of the Exchequer has now scrapped that in respect of other tax credits, some commentators have said that the position of the pension credit is left exposed and anomalous. No doubt we will return to that matter when discussing later clauses so, in a sense, I am giving notice to Ministers that such issues will be raised then. Representatives of organisations that deal with older people have said that 5 million pensioners are likely to become involved in the system of income-related benefits. Can Ministers respond briefly to my concerns?