HC Deb 20 June 1977 vol 933 cc368-9W
Mr. Gould

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many supplementary benefit claimants who ceased claiming supplementary benefit in the most recent year for which figures are available had received supplementary benefit for (a) less than one month (b) one month but less than three months (c) three months but less than six months (d) six months but less than one year and (e) one year but less than two years.

Mr. Orme

I regret the information is not available and could not be obtained except at disproportionate cost.

Miss Richardson

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many (a) one-parent and (b) two-parent families with dependent children receive supplementary benefit; and what is the average weekly amount in each case, showing scale rates and rent separately.

Mr. Orme

In December 1975 there were 296,000 one-parent and 206,000 two-parent families receiving supplementary benefit. For one-parent families the average payment was £20.34 and the average rent addition for the householders amongst them was £4.37. The corresponding figures for two-parent families were £20.94 and £5.70 respectively. Information on average scale rates is not available.

Mr. MacGregor

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what will be the total increase in net income after November 1977 for a married man on supplementary benefit with two children under 11 and one child aged between 13 and 16, resulting from the improved benefits to take place then; and what additional benefits for which he will be eligible will also be increased at that time.

Mr. Orme

After 14th November this year an increase of between £4.80 and £5.20 a week will be paid to a married man with the family circumstances indicated, and who is receiving the ordinary rate of supplementary benefit; the precise amount of the increase will depend on the exact ages of his children. There will be no change in the arrangements under which he or his dependants are automatically entitled to certain other items, such as prescriptions, free of charge.