§ Ms ShortTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security (1) what was the total number of(a) single women over retirement age, (b) single men over retirement age and (c) couples over retirement age in receipt of income support (i) in each region and (ii) nationally, at the latest date for which figures are available;
(2) what was the total number of (a) single women, (b) single men and (c) couples in receipt of income support in each region and nationally, at the latest date for which figures are available.
§ Mr. Roger EvansThe information is in the tables.
Income Support Recipients Single men aged 65+ Single women aged 60+ Couples over retirement age Great Britain 202,000 1,183,000 224,000 Scotland 19,000 119,000 20,000 Wales 10,000 69,000 12,000 England:—South 173,000 995,000 192,000 Western—North 15,000 91,000 18,000 Eastern 31,000 184,000 34,000 —Midlands—North 35,000 193,000 41,000 Western—London 32,000 173,000 29,000 North—London 31,000 183,000 40,000 South 29,000 171,000 30,000
Single men Single women Couples Great Britain 1,849,000 2,911,000 1,031,000 Scotland 188,000 289,000 81,000 Wales 96,000 163,000 57,000 England: 1,565,000 2,459,000 893,000 —South Western 128,000 206,000 77,000 —North Eastern 262,000 427,000 156,000 —Midlands 278,000 450,000 181,000 —North Western 263,000 421,000 127,000 —London North 333,000 504,000 194,000 —London South 302,000 452,000 158,000 Notes:
1. Numbers have been rounded to the nearest thousand. Due to rounding figures may not total.
2. Regions are DSS administrative regions are used by the Department prior to 1988.
3. Couples are cases where either the claimant and/or partner is over retirement age.
4. Source: Income Support Statistics Quarterly Enquiry February 1994, 5 per cent. sample.