Supplementary Benefit

HC Deb 09 November 1979 vol 973 cc375-7W

Mr. Freud

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the current number of people in receipt of supplementary benefit in Cambridgeshire; what was the relevant figure in 1978; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Chalker

The Department's two offices in Cambridgeshire, which together serve nearly all the county, were paying supplementary benefit to about 22,900 persons in August 1979 compared with 24,600 in August 1978. Corresponding figures for May—usually a more representative month—were 21,800—1979—and 22,300—1978. These movements are roughly in line with the national trend.

Mr. Field

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many claimants of supplementary benefits on a day in November or December in each of the years 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977 and 1978, and on a day in the first quarter and second quarter of 1979, were receiving board and lodging rates of supplementary benefit.

Mrs. Chalker

The estimates of people paying an inclusive charge for board and lodging and receiving supplementary benefit in each year from 1974 to 1977 are published in Table 34.84 of Social Security Statistics 1977. The equivalent figure for 1978 is 27,000. These estimates are only made once a year and are not available quarterly.

Mr Field

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) how many claimants of supplementary benefits during each of the years 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977 and 1978 who receive board and lodging rates at the beginning of their claim were subsequently in receipt of householder rates of supplementary benefit;

(2) how many claimants of supplementary benefit during each of the years 1974, 1975, 1976, 1977 and 1978 who received board and lodging rates at the beginning of their claim and who were subsequently in receipt of householder rates of supplementary benefit (a) received at least one exceptional needs payment, (b) received at least one exceptional needs payment for essential furniture and household equipment and (c) received at least one exceptional needs payment for bedding.

Mrs. Chalker

I regret that this information is not available.