HC Deb 27 October 1980 vol 991 cc171-5W
Mr. Dobson

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the latest available figures of the numbers of one-parent families in receipt of supplementary benefit; how many of these are

ment, (iii) maintenance payments and (iv) other items, as their main source of income.

Mrs. Chalker:

The latest available information is given in the table below. All the figures relate to families where the head was under pension age.

the maximum payment allowed.

Mrs. Chalker:

The information requested by the hon. Member is shown in the following table. These estimates are derived from a routine sample survey of family income supplement (FIS) beneficiaries and are, therefore, subject to statistical error.

divorced, separated, single, widowed or are prisoners' wives; and, in each category, what is the total number of children involved, the average payment and how much of it is for housing costs.

Mrs. Chalker:

Following is the information:

Numbers (Thousands) Total Headed by a man Headed by a woman Single Widowed WOMEN Divorced Prisoner's wife Separated
Families 322 13 309 89 9 104 4 103
Children 567 26 542 117 13 203 9 200
Payments £
Average payment 30.57 33.44 30.45 28.28 21.58 33.65 31.39 30.73
(a) Average addition in assessment for housing 7.76 8.92 7.71 6.17 7.40 8.46 8.41 8.06
(a) This figure is the amount included in the assessment towards housing costs.
Source: Annual Statistical Enquiry, November 1979.

Mr. Dobson

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what are the latest available figures on the numbers of two-parent families in receipt of supplementary benefit; how many are unemployed, sick or disabled, or for some other reason on supplementary benefit; and, in each category, what is the total number of children involved, the average payment and how much of it is for housing costs.

TWO PARENT FAMILIES (thousands)
Pensioners Unemployed Sick and Disabled Others Total
Families 3 143 13 6 166
Children 4 341 29 13 387

Mr. Craigen

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many unemployed people were receiving supplementary benefit at the latest count available compared with the figure 12 months previously.

Mrs. Chalker:

A total of 596,000 in May 1980—the latest date for which figures are available—compared with 564,000 in May 1979.