§ Mrs. Haymanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many lone parents receive a benefit which (a) precludes them receiving child benefit increase and (b) means that receipt of child 517W benefit increase is of no immediate financial advantage; and how many do not fall into either category.
§ Mr. Orme, pursuant to his reply [Official Report, 15 December 1978; Vol. 960, c. 469–70], gave the following information:
It is estimated that at the end of 1977, the latest date for which most information on benefit receipt is available:
- (a) 115,000 lone parents were in receipt of a benefit which precluded the receipt of child benefit (increase) and,
- (b) 330,000 lone parents were in receipt of a benefit which meant that receipt of child benefit (increase) was of no immediate advantage.
It cannot be reliably estimated how many lone parents are excluded from (a) or (b). The firmest estimate of the total number of lone parents is for 1976 when it was put at about 750,000. This would leave about 305,000 falling outside categories (a) and (b). Not all would be eligible for child benefit—increase—because those separated other than under a court order or deed of separation have to be apart for 91 days before qualifying; limited evidence suggests that these may amount to 5 per cent. of the total.