HC Deb 16 June 1977 vol 933 cc270-2W
Mr. Ralph Howell

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish a list of all the different means-tested benefits available to those in need.

Mr. Deakins,

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 27th May 1977; Vol. 932, c. 686], gave the following information:

The following means-tested benefits, including benefits which are the responsibility of other Departments, are administered centrally or on a statutory basis by local authorities.

  • Supplementary benefit.
  • Family income supplement.
  • Free milk and vitamins.
  • Help with National Health Services charges for:
  • Dental treatment, denture and glasses,
  • Prescriptions.
  • Wigs and fabric supports.
  • Patients, hospital travelling expenses.
  • Legal aid (civil).
  • Legal advice and assistance.
  • Legal aid (criminal).
  • Grants to severely disabled people—to assist with excessive cost of fares to work or to set up in business on own account when this appears to provide the only satisfactory means of resettlement.
  • Professional training scheme for disabled people.
  • Awards for students taking certain postgraduate courses.
  • Rent rebates and allowances.
  • Rate rebates.
  • Free school meals.
  • Awards for students on first degree or comparable courses, on teacher training courses and courses leading to the Diploma of Higher Education or Higher National Diploma.
  • Awards for students at long term residential adult colleges.
  • Remission of direct grant school tuition fees.
  • Accommodation under Part III of the National Assistance Act 1948.

The following benefits and services are administered by local authorities on a discretionary basis, but this list should be taken only as a general guide and not as a complete and authoritative statement.

  • Awards for students on courses of further education other than those mentioned above.
  • Provision of clothing.
  • Grant towards the cost of distinctive clothing.
  • Educational maintenance allowances (higher school bursaries in Scotland).
  • Boarding education allowances (in Scotland and central bursaries scheme, administered by the Scottish Education Department) makes allowances to pupils who have no residential qualification for a grant from a local authority.
  • Independent day school fees.
  • Remission of further and adult education course fees.
  • Services for children in care.
  • Residential accommodation for mothers and babies.
  • Day care facilities for children.
  • Residential accommodation for adults mentally disordered.
  • Meals in centres for the mentally disordered, elderly or handicapped.
  • Meals on wheels.
  • Recreational and day care facilities and occupational centres for the elderly or handicapped.
  • Personal aids and equipment for the elderly and handicapped.
  • Adaptation of houses for the elderly and handicapped.
  • Telephones for the elderly and handicapped.
  • Television for the elderly and handicapped.
  • Home help and laundry facilities.

Thousands
1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977
Supplementary Benefit:
Total of families in receipt* 2,738 2,909 2,911 2,675 2,680 2,793 Not available 2,997†
Families with children in receipt* 364 436 433 373 405 502 Not available
Family Income Supplement (FIS):
Families in receipt‡ — 71 82 95 70 60 77 82§
Free Welfare Milk (on grounds of low income):
Numbers of beneficiariesâ•‘ —¶ 441 404 329 318 365 Not available
Numbers of familiesâ•‘ —¶ 315 288 246 246 286 Not available
* Figures relate to families receiving a regular weekly allowance on a day in November or December, except the figure to which note † refers.
†This figure relates to February 1977. It was delayed, and the figure for children is unavailable. because of industrial action.
‡ FIS commenced in August 1971 and is payable only to families with dependent children. The figures relate to the end of December in each year, except the figure to which note § relates.
§ This figure relates to March 1977, and is provisional.
║ Beneficiaries are children under 5 years 1 month and expectant mothers. The figures relate to the end of each year, and include those receiving the benefit under the FIS and supplementary benefit passport arrangements, as well as those claiming directly on a low-income test.
¶ The present scheme for free welfare milk on low income grounds came into operation in April 1971.

Holidays.

Aids for daily living.

ENGLAND AND WALES

  • Assistance in kind to prevent children being taken into care.
  • Assistance in cash to prevent children being taken into care.

SCOTLAND ONLY

  • Local authority social work assistance in kind where greater expense would otherwise be incurred.
  • Local authority social work assistance in cash where greater expense would otherwise be incurred.

Mr. Ralph Howell

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his latest estimate of the number of people dependent on means-tested benefits, distinguishing between supplementary benefits, family income supplement, etc.; how many of these were families with dependent children; and what are the comparable figures for each year since 1970.

Mr. Deakins,

pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 27th May 1977 Vol. 932, c. 686] gave the following information:

The following table gives the available information for the main means-tested benefits for which my right hon. Friend is responsible.

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