§ Mr. BaldryTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services how much extra will be spent on low-income families as a result of the changes to income-related benefits in April 1988.
§ Mr. ScottComparisons between the new income-related benefit schemes and what might have happened under the old schemes must be hypothetical. However, on an annual basis, and using the assumptions underlying the structural tables in "Impact of the Reformed Structure of Income Related Benefits" (published at the time of the uprating statement on 27 October), the disposable incomes of all those receiving income-related benefits and caring for dependent children will be some £200 million higher once housing costs have been met.
§ Mr. Frank FieldTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will list the number of claimants, together with the number of dependants, who will not receive any increase in benefit when income support comes into effect; and if he will subdivided these data according to whether the claimant is(a) a pensioner, (b) sick or disabled, (c) unemployed, and (d) a single parent.
§ Mr. ScottUsing the assumptions underlying table 1A of the "Impact of the Reformed Structure of Income-Related Benefits" (published at the time of the uprating statement on 27 October) the information is as follows:
Number of claimants (thousands) Number of dependants (thousands) a. Pensioners 820 185 b. Sick or disabled 80 30 c. Unemployed and others 790 325 d. Single parents 230 390 Total 1,920 930