§ Mr. Tom Pendryasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many male full-time workers earn less than supplementary benefit levels, including average rent allowances, for families with (a) one child, (b) two children, and (c) 447W three children; and how many female full-time workers earn less than these supplementary levels.
§ Mr. Orme,pursuant to his reply [Official Report, Vol. 953 c.433], gave the following information:
Information is not available in precisely the form requested; however, it is estimated that at the end of 1976 there were in Great Britain about 170,000 two-parent families in which the family head was in full-time employment, or was self-employed, and the family income was below the appropriate supplementary benefit level, taking account of actual housing costs. Of these, about 60,000 families had one child, 50,000 had two children, and 40,000 had three children. It is further estimated that there were in total about 10,000 one-parent families, most of which would have a female head, where the family head was in full-time employment or self-employed, and family income was below supplementary benefit level.
The estimate is based on DHSS analysis of information recorded by respondents to the 1976 family expenditure survey. All figures are rounded to the nearest 10,000 and are subject to sampling error. Only the population living in private households is included. The supplementary benefit level is taken as being the supplementary benefit scale rate appropriate to the family. Income is net income from all sources less net housing costs and work expenses.