§ Mr. Alfred Morrisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his estimate of the total amount of social 138W security benefits which are unclaimed by people entitled to them; and if he will provide a breakdown of the amount under appropriate headings.
§ Mr. PrenticeStatistical estimates are available only for supplementary benefit and child benefit increase.
The latest information concerning supplementary benefit is contained in chapter 12 of the report of the Supplementary Benefits Commission for 1978 (Cmnd 7725).
With regard to child benefit increase, it is estimated that at the end of 1978 about £16 million a year was being left unclaimed by people who would benefit by claiming it.