§ Mr. Winnickasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what is the estimated number of non-pensioners in the United Kingdom whose income is based on supplementary benefit and other forms of benefit received from his Department; what was the number in May 1979; and what was the percentage change;
Number of claimants (thousands) November 1979 December 1984 Percentage change West Midlands1 Supplementary benefit with another benefit 60 152 +153 Supplementary benefit with no other benefit 48 177 +269 Total 108 329 +205 Great Britain Supplementary benefit with another benefit 647 1,373 +112 Supplementary benfit with no other benefit 485 1,553 +220 Total 1,132 2,926 +158 Note: 1 By December 1984, the former west midlands social security region had been amalgamated with the new midlands region. The figures for December 1984 relate to those offices which formerly formed the west midlands region.
It is not possible to divide the figures in respect of Northern Ireland between those with other benefits and those without. The total figures are as follows:
Number of claimants (thousands) Percentage change 1979 1984 59 126 +114 Source: Annual statistical inquiries 1979 and 1984.