§ Mr. SwinneyTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what the uptake was in(a) the UK and (b) Scotland in (i) 1996-97, (ii) 1997–98, (iii) 1998–99 and (iv) 1999–2000 of (A) Child Benefit, (B) Housing Benefit, (C) Council Tax Benefit, (D) Family Credit and (E) Working Families Tax Credit expressed as a percentage of those eligible; and it he will make a statement. [153076]
§ Angela EagleEstimates of take up of Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit and Family Credit for Great Britain are published in annual statistics on "Income Related Benefits Estimates of Take-Up", copies of which are in the Library. It is not possible to produce reliable estimates for different parts of Great Britain and the latest published estimates are for 1998–99.
No statistics are published for Child Benefit; it is believed that on average 98 per cent. of families take up their entitlement to Child Benefit.
§ Mr. WelshTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security what representations he has received from the Scottish Executive about increasing levels of benefit take-up. [153072]
§ Mr. BayleyWe are in regular contact with the Scottish Executive over a number of issues. Reducing poverty is an aim of both administrations and the UK Government works in partnership with the Scottish Executive, through mechanisms such as the Joint Ministerial Committee on Poverty.