§ Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will indicate the average cost of providing family income supplement prior to April 1988 and family credit since that date.
§ Mr. Peter LloydIn 1985–86, the latest date for which information on administrative costs is available, it is estimated that the average weekly cost per family income supplement beneficiary was approximately 45p. Figures for 1986–87 will be published in the public expenditure White Paper early in the new year. Comparable figures for family credit are not available. In June 1987, the average award of family income supplement was approximately £15 per week. Indications are that current awards of family credit average over £25 per week.
§ Mr. Tony BanksTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will provide additional information for the most recent comparable period before April stating the average delay between receipt of a claim for family income supplement and the determination of the claim; and if he will indicate how many claims were then awaiting determination.
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§ Mr. Peter LloydThe average clearance time for claims cleared during the four weeks ending 11 March 1988 was just over 16 working days. On 11 March, there were 29,044 claims awaiting determination.