HC Deb 10 December 1981 vol 14 c464W
Mr. Andrew F. Bennett

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will estimate the numbers of people in receipt of State benefits who will not have the shortfall restored in November 1981.

Mrs. Chalker

The average number of recipients at any one time of each of the benefits specified is estimated to be as follows in 1981–82:

Benefit Estimated average number of recipients in 1981–82
Unemployment benefit 1,140,000
Sickness benefit 510,000
Injury benefit
Maternity allowance 125,000
Child benefit 13,140,000*
One-parent benefit
Family income supplement 100,000
Supplementary allowance 1,775,000
Mobility allowance 200,000
* Numbers of qualifying children.

NoteIt is not possible to add these figures together into a single total because recipients might receive more than one benefit, depending on their family and other circumstances.