HC Deb 06 March 1980 vol 980 cc304-5W
Mr. Field

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish the reasons for the initial applicants for family income supplement not being entitled to a supplement.

Mrs. Chalker

In 1979, the reasons why initial claims for family income supplement did not succeed were as follows:—

percentage
Head of the family not in full-time work 31
Head of the family not normally in full-time work 5
No qualifying children in the family 2
Income in excess of the prescribed amount 49
Failure to provide sufficient information 13

Note:The proportions quoted relate to new and repeat claims i.e. those where no previous claim has been made and those where a claim has been made at some time in the past but the present claim does not immediately follow an existing award. Separate figures are not held relating solely to first-time claimants.

Mr. Field

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the proportion of those initial applicants for family income supplement which does not qualify.

Mrs. Chalker

In 1979, out of about 94,700 initial claims, some 50,400 (53 per cent.) did not succeed.

Note: These figures relate to new and repeat claims, that is, those where no previous claim has been made and those where a claim has been made at some time in the past but the present claim does not immediately follow an existing award. Separate figures are not held relating solely to first-time claimants.