§ Mr. Roperasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the proportion of national insurance benefits paid to those with incomes below the tax threshold.
§ Mr. DeanIt is estimated that rather over 70 per cent. of retirement pension expenditure is paid to persons below the tax threshold. A precise estimate cannot be made for other national insurance benefits, most of which are not taxable.
§ Mr. Roperasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the proportion of family allowances paid to those with incomes below the tax threshold.
§ Mr. Roperasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what was the total amount paid for (i) family income supplement and (ii) supplementary benefit for the most recent period of 12 months for which figures are available.
§ Mr. Roperasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what information is now available on the take-up of (i) family income supplement and (ii) supplementary benefit.
§ Mr. DeanThe take-up of family income supplement is approximately half, though in the case of families entitled to £2 a week or more, roughly three-quarters are getting the benefit. I regret that similar estimates are not available in respect of supplementary benefit take-up. We are at present examining the 287W data available from the Family Expenditure Survey to see if such estimates may be made.
§ Mr. Roperasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the additional cost involved if the take-up rates of (i) family income supplement and (ii) supplementary benefit were increased to 100 per cent.
§ Mr. DeanBecause of the small size of the sample on which estimates have to be made, and because of the transitional effects of the change to 12-month awards, an estimate concerning family income supplement cannot be made at present. I regret that no estimate concerning supplementary benefit is available.
Thousands (1) (2) (3) (4) (5) Year (12 months ending November) Number of regular weekly payments* Number of claims Claims resulting in a single payment Claims resulting in regular weekly payments Callers 1970 … … … … 2,738 6,079 3,530 1,664 9,565 1971 … … … … 2,909 6,591 3,747 2,008 11,920 1972 … … … … 2,929 6,959 3,866 2,167 11,127 1973† … … … … 2,766 5,000 2,000 2,000 11,000 * As at November for 1970–72; as at August for 1973. † The estimates in Columns (2)-(5) are calculated from activity for the nine months ending August 1973.