Supplementary Benefit (Hansard, 29 February 1984)

§ Mr. Ernie Ross
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what number and percentage of unemployed in the United Kingdom have received supplementary benefit for (a) less than one year, (b) more than one year but less than two years, (c) more than two years but less than three years and (d) more than three years;

Number (thousands) Percentage of registered unemployed

Number of unemployed claimants receiving supplementary benefits for:

(a) less than one year 1,141 37

(b) more than one year but less than two years 353 11

(c) more than two years but less than three years 157 5

(d) more than three years 147 5

Total number of unemployed supplementary benefit claimants 1,798 58

§ Mr. Ernie Ross
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people in Dundee currently claim supplementary benefit; and if he will disaggregate the information for the following sub-groups: (a) pensioners, (b) one-parent family heads and (c) unemployed.

§ Dr. Boyson
The required details for the Dundee local offices during December 1983, the latest available period, were as follows:

Supplementary benefit Dundee East (thousands) Dundee West (thousands)

Pensioners 2.9 4.2

One-parent family heads 1.5 0.9

Unemployed 5.3 2.5

Total number of claimants 11.0 10.1

Source100 per cent. count of cases in action.

§ Mr. Ernie Ross
asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the weekly supplementary benefit income of a married couple with one child aged under 11 years and one child aged over 11 and not yet 16 years.

§ Dr. Boyson
Details of the supplementary benefit scale rates and additional requirements payable for families in different circumstances are set out in the supplementary benefits handbook, a copy of which is in the Library. I assume the hon. Member wishes to know the average weekly amount of supplementary benefit actually paid to claimants in the circumstances described. I shall give this information as soon as possible.
248W
(2) how many and what percentage of those unemployed in the United Kingdom are claiming supplementary benefit.

§ Dr. Boyson
The information at December 1982, the latest date for which information is available, is as follows:

	Number (thousands)	Percentage of registered unemployed
Number of unemployed claimants receiving supplementary benefits for:
(a) less than one year	1,141	37
(b) more than one year but less than two years	353	11
(c) more than two years but less than three years	157	5
(d) more than three years	147	5
Total number of unemployed supplementary benefit claimants	1,798	58

Supplementary benefit	Dundee East (thousands)	Dundee West (thousands)
Pensioners	2.9	4.2
One-parent family heads	1.5	0.9
Unemployed	5.3	2.5
Total number of claimants	11.0	10.1