§ Mr. NellistTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the cost of increasing benefits to cover the 20 per cent. of the poll tax in 1989–90 and 1990–91 and the estimate for 1991–92; and how many people in each year were helped.
§ Miss Widdecombe[holding answer 18 November 1991]: The information requested is as follows:
Year 1989 1990 1991 Estimated cost of increasing income-related benefits to cover the 20 per cent, contribution to the community charge (£ million) £500 £520 £580 Number of income-related benefit cases (million) 7.7 7.5 7.7 Sources: Sources of the caseload information are the housing benefit/community charge benefit management information system, the income support annual statistical enquiry, and the family credit statistical system.
The figures relate to May of each year for income support and housing benefit, and April for family credit. The average caseload for the year may be different due to fluctuations during the year; the caseload and expenditure figures cannot be compared directly because each is derived differently.