Poverty (Hansard, 20 May 1974)

§ Mr. O'Malley

The information is as follows:

3.The estimates at Tables 1 and 2 relate to December 1972 and are based on Family Expenditure Survey (FES) for 1972. Some of the data taken from the FES are subject to considerable sampling error. The largest sampling errors are likely in the figures for single parent families and some of the groups living within 10 per cent. of the supplementary benefit level. It should be noted that whilst FES data can provide a basis for estimating the number of people living below their supplementary benefit level, for the reasons which DHSS Statistical Report Series, No. 14—"Two Parent Families"— makes clear, such estimates are unlikely to provide a reliable indication of the number of people with an unclaimed entitlement to supplementary benefit. The supplementary benefit level is taken as being the supplementary benefit scale rate(s) appropriate to the family. Those defined as below the supplementary benefit level are those whose net income less net housing costs is less than their appropriate supplementary benefit scale rate(s). Those defined as being within 10 per cent. of the supplementary benefit level are those whose net income less housing costs is between 100 and 110 per cent. of their appropriate supplementary benefit scale rate(s).

4.Table 3 shows the number of people dependent on supplementary benefit. These figures are derived from a supplementary benefit sample enquiry for November 1972. As the data relating to the sick, disabled, unemployed and others obtained from the FES relate, for technical reasons, to those who have been off work for over three months, Table 3 excludes people who have received supplementary benefit for less than three months in order that the information should be consistent with that obtained from the FES.