§ Mr. Peter Bottomleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many children in 1977 and 1979 were living in families below the supplementary benefit level, on supplementary benefit and with incomes up to 10 per cent, 20 per cent. and 40 per cent. above supplementary benefit level, classified by the employment status of the head of the family and whether there were one or two parents.
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§ Mrs. ChalkerThe available information as at the end of 1977 is given in the following tables. For families not receiving supplementary benefit it is not possible to break down the estimates in table one between one and two-parent families, other than for those who are in full-time
Table One: Families not receiving supplementary benefit December 1977 Thousands Employment category Below supplementary benefit level Above supplementary benefit level but within 10 per cent, of it Above supplementary benefit level but within 20 per cent, of it Above supplementary benefit level but within 40 per cent, of it Families Children Families Children Families Children Families Children In full time work or self employed: One-parent families [10] [30] [10*] [10*] [10] [40] [30] 70 Two-parent families 110 250 100 230 300 690 790 1,750 Sick or disabled for more than three months: One and two-parent families [20] [30] [10*] [30] [40] 110 70 160 Unemployed for more than three months: One and two-parent families [40] 90 [10] [20] [20] [40] [30] [50] Other one and two-parent families [20] [20] [10*] [20] [30] 60 [40] 110 Total number of families and children 200 420 140 310 410 930 970 2,140 * Indicates that the number in the group is below 10,000. 642W
TABLE Two: FAMILIES IN RECEIPT OF SUPPLEMENTARY BENEFIT December 1977 Thousands One parent families Two parent families Employment category Families Children Families Children Sick or disabled for more than three months [10*] [10*] [10] [30] Unemployed for more than three months [10*] [10*] 140 360 Others 310 570 [10*] [10*] Total 330 590 160 400 * Indicates that the number in the group is blow 10,000. Notes on the tables: Table One—Families not receiving supplementary benefit 1. All figures are rounded to the nearest 10,000. (If the figure is from 1 to 10,000 it is rounded to 10,000 and starred.) Consequently the sum of the component parts may not equal the total. 2. The estimates are based on a Department of Health and Social Security analysis of incomes and other information recorded by respondents to the family expenditure survey. They are subject to statistical error. Those figures in square brackets are subject to very considerable proportionate statistical error. 3. The estimates relate only to the population living in private households. Families and persons in institutions are not sampled in the family expenditure survey. 4. The supplementary benefit level is taken as being the supplementary benefit scale rate(s) appropriate to the family using the long term rates for pensioners only. 5. Income refers to net income including all benefits, less housing costs, work expenses, income tax and national insurance contributions as appropriate. 6. The comparison is based on the family's normal income in the normal employment of the family head. For example, where the head of the family had been off work due to sickness or unemployment for less than three months at the time of the survey, the family's normal income when the head was at work was used in determining their level of income. 7. The estimates of numbers of families with income below the supplementary benefit level do not indicate unclaimed entitlement to supplementary benefit. For example, those who are in full time work or undertaking fulltime further education would not normally have entitlement to supplementary benefit. For others not precluded from claiming, no regard is had in these estimates to factors such as disregarded income, treatment of capital or exceptional circumstances additions, each of which can affect payment of supplementary benefit. work or self-employed, because the samples are too small. For families receiving supplementary benefit there is a full breakdown in table two, but my hon. Friend will note that the sample sizes in some of these groups are very small. Similar information is not available for 1979
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Table Two—Families receiving supplementary benefit Estimates of those receiving supplementary benefit are derived from the annual statistical inquiry of supplementary benefit claimants.
§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether his reply to the hon. Member for Norfolk, North, Official Report, 7 November, columns 213–20, comparing net weekly spending power in and out of work, and at different earnings levels, takes into account the fuel allowance supplement payable with family income supplement; and, if not, if he will amend the figures accordingly.
TABLE 6 UNEMPLOYED (WEEKS 3–28) Former Earnings UB FIS Rent Rebate Rate Rebate Free School Meals Free Welfare Foods Net Weekly Spending Power £ £ £ £ £ £ £ £85 … … … 47.97 — 7.50 2.91 4.50 1.05 69.23
§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will update to 1979–80 the replies given to the hon. Member for Norfolk, North, Official Report, 7 July 1977 and 17 April 1978, showing total net expenditure on child support by category of expenditure; and if he will include the cost of school meals and of school transport subsidies.
§ Mrs. ChalkerThe information is as follows:
£ million 1979–80 Child benefit 2,820 Family income supplement 27 Free welfare milk 31 Home to school transport 145 Free school—remission of charges 67 School meals subsidy 358 Child dependency additions to recipients of national insurance benefits. 190 Child dependency additions to recipients of other social security benefits. In respect of supplementary benefits this is the estimate amount included in the assessment, offset by the national insurance dependency additions and child benefit in payment. 110 3,748