§ Mr. CummingsTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security how many people are on income support within the Seaham and Peterlee agency areas; and what were the comparable numbers each year since 1988.
§ Mr. BurtThe administration of income support is a matter for Mr. Michael Bichard, the chief executive of the Benefits Agency. He will write to the hon. Member with such information as is available and a copy will be placed in the Library.
Letter from Michael Bichard to Mr. John Cummings, dated 20 January 1993.
As Chief Executive of the Benefits Agency it is my responsibility to answer questions about relevant operational matters. I am therefore replying to the points raised in your recent Parliamentary Question to the Secretary of State for Social Security asking how many people are on Income Support within the Seaham and Peterlee agency areas; and what were the comparable numbers each year since 1988.The complete range of information you requested is not available. This is because statistics of a local nature are destroyed at regular intervals in accordance with standing instructions. I have listed below the latest available data which shows the number of recipients at a given point in time rather than for a given period.
Date Seaham Peterlee November 1989 3,040 6,782 November 1990 3,300 7,111 November 1991 3,143 7,348 November 1992 3,518 8,003 This information has been obtained from the Income Support Management Information System.
I hope you find this reply helpful. Copies of this letter will be placed in the library.