HC Deb 02 March 1978 vol 945 cc385-6W
Mr. Lawrence

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many people, including wives and children, are dependent upon supplementary benefit.

Mr. Deakins

The latest information relates to December 1976 when it is estimated that 4,725.000 persons, including

1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977
January N/A 68.5 73.6 63.0 63.6 60.4
February N/A 61.4 72.1 69.8 71.2 67.0
March N/A 76.3 74.3 73.5 69.5 61.7
April 67.1 60.4 62.3 74.3 67.1 59.6
May 58.7 57.2 71.1 60.9 84.5 62.6
June 61.2 55.8 71.4 62.5 85.6 59.6
July 62.0 65.1 66.3 63.4 63.4 66.9
August 65.0 58.9 69.9 65.2 64.4 59.2
September 60.9 66.0 64.3 62.6 63.7 65.4
October 61.3 64.4 65.6 60.8 62.2 70.2
November 63.7 67.0 73.2 59.4 55.9 58.9
December 55.6 74.6 52.8 54.5 54.0 66.4
N/A=Not available.

wives and children, were dependent on supplementary benefit.