§ Lord Bleaseasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will indicate whether any Government assisted and/or sponsored research projects are currently being undertaken into the living standards of the unemployed in Northern Ireland; and, if not, whether they will initiate studies for publication into (i) the incidence of low income, (ii) the characteristics of non-claimants to benefits, (iii) domestic fuel expenditure, and (iv) the living standards of unemployed people, in Northern Ireland.
The Earl of GowrieThe Social Research Division of the Policy, Planning and Research Unit, Department of Finance and Personnel is currently writing up the results of a series of studies on the living standards of low income families in Northern Ireland. A report of these studies will be published shortly. A follow-up survey of these low income families was carried out one year later to examine changes in their circumstances. Two secondary surveys were attached to these follow-up interviews specifically to look (a) at domestic fuel expenditure among low income families and (b) at work history (unemployment/employment) over a period of five years. The characteristics of non-claimants to benefit are also being examined in relation to family income supplement with a small sample from the above survey. The results of these studies should be available later this year. Further examination of income data from these surveys may444WA reveal families eligible for other benefits linked to low income who are currently non-claimants.