Family Support (Hansard, 2 March 1989)

§ Sir Ian Gilmour
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, further to his reply to the hon. Member for Chesham and Amersham of 1 February,Official Report, column 295, what assessment he has made of the reasons for the increase in the proportion of expenditure on families with children since 1981–82.

§ Mr. Peter Lloyd
The number of lone parent families increased slightly as a proportion of families with children over the period (from 12 per cent. in 1981 to 14 per cent. in 1987. (Source: General Household Survey)) but, in addition, the proportion of lone parent families dependent on benefit has increased at a much greater rate. In 1981 about 45 per cent. of lone parents were claiming supplementary benefit, but in 1986 this had risen to about 60 per cent.

§ Sir Ian Gilmour
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what is his policy on the distribution of expenditure on families with children between lone-parent families and others.

§ Mr. Peter Lloyd
The social security system aims to target help on families in need rather than simply allocate expenditure according to family types. It recognises that need may arise in different kinds of circumstances, some of which may require special help. The distribution of expenditure between one-parent and two-parent families will, therefore, be affected by the numbers who meet the conditions attached to the benefits concerned.

§ Sir Ian Gilmour
To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will update, to the most recent year for which figures are available, the answer given to the then hon. Member for Kensington of 1 July 1986,Official Report, column 405, showing expenditure on one-parent benefit, national assistance/supplementary benefit and housing benefit in 1960, 1970, 1980 and 1986; and if he will include expenditure on family income supplement/family credit as appropriate.

§ Mr. Peter Lloyd
The information requested is set out as follows:
327W

Great Britain

Benefits paid to lone parents £ million

1960–61 1970–71 1980–81 1985–86 1988–89 (estimated outturn)

Expenditure in cash terms

One parent benefit — — 61 134 174

Supplementary benefit Income Support¹ 20 90 640 1,240 1,850

Housing benefit² — — 50 400⁴ 740

Family Income Supplement/Family Credit — — 30 60 180

Expenditure at 1988–89 prices3

One parent benefit — — 96 152 174

Supplementary benefit Income Support¹ 170 430 1,010 1,410 1,850

Housing benefit² — — 80 450 740

Family Income Supplement/Family Credit — — 50 70 180

¹ National assistance in 1960–61.

² Local authority rebates scheme for 1980–81; information for 1970–71 is not available.

³ Converted to constant prices using the retail prices index.

⁴ Revised figure following reinterpretation of data.

Great Britain
Benefits paid to lone parents							£ million
		1960–61	1970–71	1980–81	1985–86	1988–89 (estimated outturn)
	Expenditure in cash terms
	One parent benefit	—	—	61	134	174
	Supplementary benefit Income Support¹	20	90	640	1,240	1,850
	Housing benefit²	—	—	50	400⁴	740
	Family Income Supplement/Family Credit	—	—	30	60	180
	Expenditure at 1988–89 prices3
	One parent benefit	—	—	96	152	174
	Supplementary benefit Income Support¹	170	430	1,010	1,410	1,850
	Housing benefit²	—	—	80	450	740
	Family Income Supplement/Family Credit	—	—	50	70	180
¹ National assistance in 1960–61.
² Local authority rebates scheme for 1980–81; information for 1970–71 is not available.
³ Converted to constant prices using the retail prices index.
⁴ Revised figure following reinterpretation of data.