HC Deb 06 November 1989 vol 159 cc459-61W
Sir Ian Gilmour

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish in theOfficial Report the replies given to the right hon. Member for Chesham and Amersham in his letter dated 28 September.

Mrs. Gillian Shephard

The information requested is set out as followsQuestion: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will publish figures giving the disposable incomes, after taking into account means-tested benefits of single wage married couples with two children under five years and mortgages of (a) £20,000, (b) £30,000, (c) £40,000 and (d) £50,000 firstly when out of work and receiving Income Support and secondly when in work earning £100, £150, £200, £250 and £300 a week. The information requested is set out in the table below:

Total net income of a married couple with two children (aged 3 and 4) who are purchasing their home in April 1989
Total net income: unemployed and claiming Income Support
Capital outstanding on mortgage £ In receipt of Income Support for less than 16 weeks £ In receipt of Income Support for over 16 weeks £
20,000 115.57 135.47
30,000 125.52 155.48
40,000 138.79 181.91
50,000 152.06 208.45

Notes:

1. Total net income on income support comprises social security benefits plus help with housing costs, plus regular benefits in kind. This includes mortgage interest based on a gross interest rate of 13.8 per cent.

2. Assumes average local authority rates appropriate to family size.

Total net income: in work
Gross earnings £ per week
100 128.38
150 137.07
200 167.53
250 200.53
300 233.53

Note: Total net income is defined as take-home pay plus social security benefits.

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, how many and what percentage of families with children have mortgages distinguishing between working and out of work families and between those who earn: (a) under £150 per week, (b) £150–200, (c) £200–300 and (d) over £300.

The information requested is set out in the table below:

Number and percentage of families with children who have mortgages 1986
Gross weekly earned income Working families with mortgages 000's Percentage of all such work- ing families Weekly morl-gage interest £
Under£150 450 46 22.90
£150–£200 580 62 21.70
£200–300 1,400 79 26.10
Over £300 1,420 88 40.70

Gross weekly earned income Working families with mortgages 000's Percentage of all such working families Weekly mortgage interest £
Total 3,850 73 30.50

Unemployed families 000 's Percentage of all unemployed families Weekly mortgage interest £
Total 80 19 21.30

Source: 1986 Family Expenditure Survey.

Notes:

1. A "working family" is defined as one where at least one of the two parents is in full-time employment or self-employment (working 24 or more hours each week for employees in employment and 30 hours or more for the self-employed). "Unemployed" couples with children are defined by the supplementary benefit status of the head of the family.

2. For working families, gross weekly earned income excluded income from state benefits.