Unemployment Benefit (Hansard, 30 July 1982)

§ Mr. Golding
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what would be the cost of paying unemployment benefit irrespective of the length of unemployment.

§ Mr. Rossi
I refer the hon. Member to my reply to the hon. Member for Pontypridd (Mr. John) on 30 June 1982. —[Vol. 26, c.332–33.]

§ Mr. Golding
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether he will state the numbers who have been unemployed for 12 months or more who are ineligible for supplementary or other cash benefits; whether he will give reasons and numbers involved; and whether he will make a statement.

§ Mr. Newton
Information is not available in the form requested. Numbers relating to people who had been claiming unemployment benefit for more than 12 months but who were not receiving payment of any benefit at 11 February 1982 are given in the following table:

Number

Flat rate unemployment benefit exhausted 130,600

Contribution deficiency 6,400

Other reasons for not receiving unemployment benefit 9,100

Total 146,100

Source: five per cent. sample survey, 11 February 1982.
The figures include about 27,000 married women most of whom are unlikely to be entitled to supplementary 853W benefit. No more direct information is available on other reasons why they were not receiving benefits. The take-up of supplementary benefit by the unemployed runs, however, at about 80 per cent. of those eligible and it is likely that the figures include some who are eligible for this benefit but who have not taken it up as well as others who are not entitled by reason of possessing other resources, for example, occupational pensions, a wife's earnings or capital.

Unemployment benefit only Unemployment benefit and supplementary benefit Supplementary benefit only No benefit

All persons aged 20–24 195,100 48,300 225,800 ^*60,600

Men 108,300 39,900 171,600 30,700

Women 86,800 8,400 54,200 29,900

^* Includes 29,500 persons whose entitlement to unemployment benefit had not been determined at the date of the survey.

Source: A 5 per cent. sample analysis of unemployed claimants on 11 February 1982.

	Number
Flat rate unemployment benefit exhausted	130,600
Contribution deficiency	6,400
Other reasons for not receiving unemployment benefit	9,100
Total	146,100

	Unemployment benefit only	Unemployment benefit and supplementary benefit	Supplementary benefit only	No benefit
All persons aged 20–24	195,100	48,300	225,800	^*60,600
Men	108,300	39,900	171,600	30,700
Women	86,800	8,400	54,200	29,900
^* Includes 29,500 persons whose entitlement to unemployment benefit had not been determined at the date of the survey.