Supplementary Benefit Claimants (Hansard, 18 January 1979)

HC Deb 18 January 1979 vol 960 c902W 902W

§ Mr. Pattie
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list for November 1970, November 1977 and November 1978 (a) the number of claimants receiving supplementary benefit (b) the number of wives dependent on these claimants, (c) the number of children dependent on these claimants, and (d) the total number of claimants and dependants relying on supplementary benefit.

§ Mr. Orme:
Information relating to 1970 and 1977 is in the table below. That relating to 1978 is not yet available.
Supplementary benefit claimants and dependants Great Britain November 1970 (thousands) November 1977^*

(a) Claimants 2,738 2,991

(b) Wives of claimants 633 611

(c) Dependent children 796 1,156

(d) Total claimants and dependents 4,166 4,759

^*Figures for 1977 are not completely comparable with those for earlier years owing to a change in the method of estimation.

Supplementary benefit claimants and dependants	Great Britain November 1970	(thousands) November 1977^*
(a) Claimants	2,738	2,991
(b) Wives of claimants	633	611
(c) Dependent children	796	1,156
(d) Total claimants and dependents	4,166	4,759
^*Figures for 1977 are not completely comparable with those for earlier years owing to a change in the method of estimation.