§ Mr. Ralph Howellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will update the reply given to the hon. Member for Norfolk, North, Official Report 16 June 1977, column 272, giving his latest estimate of the number of people dependent on means-tested benefits, with comparable figures for each year since 1971.
§ Mrs. Chalker[pursuant to her reply, 21 July 1980, c. 88]: The following table gives the available information for the main means-tested benefits for which my right hon. Friend is responsible.
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ESTIMATED NUMBERS OF RECIPIENTS OF A REGULAR WEEKLY BENEFIT ON A DAY IN NOVEMBER OR DECEMBER, 1971 TO 1979 SUPPLEMENTARY BENEFIT 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 Thousands 1979 Total recipients 2,909 2,911 2,675 2,680 2,793 2,940* 2,991† 2,932 2, 855 Families with childre 436 433 373 405 502 Not available 553† 535 488 FAMILY INCOME SUPPLEMENT Total recipients (all families with children) 71 82 95 70 60 77 83 81 81 FREE WELFARE MILK Beneficiaries† 441 404 329 318 365 391 386† 370 339 Families 315 288 246 246 286 305 304† 289 268 * This figure is an approximation: industrial action prevented a normal estimate being made. † Figures from November 1977 are not directly comparable with earlier years due to a change in the method of estimation ‡ "Beneficiaries" are children under 5 years 1 month and expectant mothers. The figures include those receiving the benefit under the supplementary benefit and family income supplement passport arrangements as well as those claiming directly on a low income test.