§ Mr. Skinnerasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many children live in families with incomes (a) below supplementary benefit levels, (b) at the supplementary benefit level, (c) 10 per cent. above the supplementary benefit level and (d) 20 per cent. above the supplementary benefit level compared with 1979.
§ Mr. WhitneyThe latest information is contained in the tables "Low Income Families — 1981" a copy of which is lodged in the Library.
§ Mrs. Beckettasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many wrongful refusals of single payments for furniture were found in the course of the Social Security Policy Inspectorate's inquiry on this subject; and what action was taken to correct any such errors found.
§ Mr. WhitneyWe have not yet received the report of the social security policy inspectorate's inquiry into single payments for furniture, although I understand it is nearing completion. Decisions to refuse claims for single payments are made by independent adjudication officers, subject to a right of appeal to social security appeal tribunals and (on a point of law) to the social security commissioners.