Family Income Supplement

HC Deb 29 October 1979 vol 972 cc436-7W

Mr. Rooker

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the latest estimate of the take-up of family income supplement in relation to those numbers thought to be eligible.

Mrs. Chalker

The most recent reliable estimate for the take-up of family income supplement—FIS—is for 1975, when about three-quarters of those estimated to be eligible were in receipt of FIS awards. It is hoped that the family finances survey, now in progress, will yield better information on take-up based on a larger sample of low-income families than is available from the family expenditure survey—the source of the 1975 estimate.

Mr. Field

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish in the Official Report (a) the proportion of the unemployed who are receiving family income supplement and (b) for how long, on average, once unemployed they continue to receive it.

Mrs. Chalker

I regret that information is not available in the form requested.