§ 15. Mr. Andrew F. Bennettasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many children are now living in households dependent on social security benefits.
§ Mr. ScottAround 2.24 million children were living in families receiving supplementary benefit in February 1987, the date of the latest available statistics. The reformed social security structure to be implemented next April will target help more specifically on low income families with children through the new family credit and the family premium in income support.
§ 65. Mrs. Beckettasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what action will be taken to measure the extent to which claimants do not receive benefits to which they are entitled, following the recently published report on the subject by the National Audit Office.
§ Mr. PortilloThe Department's system of measurement covers underpayments and overpayments of benefit. The recent National Audit Office report drew attention to undetected errors. In the light of the report, officials are urgently considering ways in which detection, recording, and correction of wrong payments can be improved.