HC Deb 14 December 1990 vol 182 c525W
Mr. Kirkwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many lone parents living on income support have earnings, broken down between those with children aged under 11 years and those with children aged 11 to 15 years.

Miss Widdecombe

The information is not available in the form requested. The number of lone parents who are receiving income support and have earnings, broken down by reference to the age of the youngest child is as follows:

Number
Under 11 59,000
Age 11–15 19,000
Age 16 and over 4,000
Total 82,000

Source: 1989 Annual Statistical Inquiry.

Mr. Kirkwood

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many lone parents living on income support have help with their mortgage interest payments; and what the average value of such help is for each lone parent family.

Miss Widdecombe

There are some 68,000 lone parents receiving income support which includes help with mortgage interest payments. The average weekly amount for mortgage interest taken into account in the assessment of income support is £30.45.