HC Deb 30 January 1992 vol 202 cc670-1W
Mr. Cousins

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security, further to his answer of 23 January,Official Report, column 98, if he will give the number of (a) pensioners, (b) economically inactive single adults and (c) economically inactive single adults with dependants, in receipt of income support in respect of mortgage interest in each standard region and nationally, in each year since 1980.

Miss Widdecombe

The information requested can be obtained only at disproportionate cost. The tables relate to 1989 and 1990, the latest years for which figures are readily available:

Pensioners Single without dependants Single with dependants
1989
North Eastern 9,000 14,000 9,000
London North 13,000 17,000 7,000
South Western 7,000 7,000 7,000
Wales 6,000 8,000 5,000
Midlands 12,000 15,000 9,000
North Western 11,000 15,000 12,000
Scotland 4,000 6,000 3,000
London South 11,000 13,000 8,000
Total 73,000 95,000 59,000
Pensioners Single without dependants Single with dependants
1990
North Eastern 11,000 14,000 9,000
London North 15,000 19,000 12,000
South Western 8,000 9,000 12,000
Wales 9,000 9,000 4,000
Midlands 14,000 16,000 11,000
North Western 11,000 15,000 11,000
Scotland 4,000 6,000 3,000
London South 14,000 18,000 13,000
Total 86,000 107,000 68,000

Notes:

1. The figures for pensioners are for all pensioners whether or not they have part time earnings.

2. The figures for single adults do not include part-time earnings.

3. Figures have been rounded to the nearest thousand; for this reason the sum of individual entries does not always equal the total given.

Source:

Annual Statistical Enquiries 1989 and 1990.

Mr. Cousins

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what was the total value of payments in respect of income support for mortgage interest in each standard region and nationally in 1989 and 1990.

Miss Widdecombe

The information requested is in the table:

Region Mortgage interest 1989 Mortgage interest 1990
North Eastern 42 54
London North 78 129
South Western 33 52
Wales 22 31
Midlands 45 69
North Western 50 65
Scotland 19 25
London South 63 129
Great Britain 353 554

Notes:

1. Figures represent amounts added in the income support assessment, not actual amounts paid.

2. The figures are in pounds rounded to millions.

3. Due to rounding the sum of the individual amounts for each region does not equal the total for Great Britain for 1989.

Source: Annual Statistical Enquiries 1989 and 1990.

Mr. Meacher

To ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what are estimated to be the administration costs of paying mortgage interest payments for home owners on income support directly to the mortgage lenders.

Miss Widdecombe

The estimated costs connected with the Social Security (Mortgage Interest Payments) Bill are set out in the Explanatory and Financial Memorandum to the Bill which was introduced on 23 January.

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