§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the latest estimated figure for take-up of family income supplement; what is the basis for the estimated figure; and if he will give estimated numbers of those who, by failing to claim, lose the following amounts of money per week, or similar amounts if other figures are more readily available: (a) £1 or less, (b) £1 to £2.50, (c) £2.50 to £5, (d) £5 to £10, and (e) over £10.
§ Mr. Fieldasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will publish in the Official Report (a) the most recent figures for the numbers of families claiming family income supplement and (b) the latest estimate of the proportion of families eligible who claim family income supplement.
§ Mr. Canavanasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the latest estimate of the amount of unclaimed social security benefits; and if he will take additional steps to increase the take-up of benefits by people who are entitled to those benefits.
§ Mrs. Chalker[pursuant to her replies, 12 March, c. 420; 16 April, c. 290; and 11 May, c.201–2]: The latest estimate of the take-up of family income supplement has been derived from data emerging from the family finances survey. This survey was conducted over a period of 12 months from October 1978 to September 1979 and covered on a sample basis, the majority of families with incomes low enough for the parents to qualify for FIS. The analysis shows that only about half the number of employed parents who might have been expected to qualify for some FIS at the time they were interviewed, however small in amount, said that they were receiving or had claimed FIS; the total amount of unclaimed FIS is thought to have been of the order of £15 million.
The previous estimate was that about three-quarters of eligible parents were taking up FIS. This was based on the results of the 1974 and 1975 family expenditure surveys. A revaluation of those results, making full allowance for those families who were benefiting from FIS awards made when their incomes were lower, indicates that take-up was then also about one-half rather than three-quarters. I am placing a note about the estimates in the Library of the House shortly. It will include an explanation of their derivation.
It is very disappointing and unsatisfactory that the take-up of FIS seems to have remained at such a low level over the period 1974 to 1979. It is not possible to give a later estimate or to say what level current take-up has reached.
An extensive range of measures has been taken already to publicise FIS, and to encourage families who may qualify to make a claim. Posters are displayed at local social security offices, job centres, post offices and citizens' advice bureaux. Leaflet FIS 1, which includes a claim form, is displayed and issued at local social security offices, post offices and citizens' advice bureaux. The leaflet is also issued with awards and disallowances of 134W maternity grant; with awards of child benefit for the first child; and also to all supplementay benefit recipients, with children, who are about to resume work. A television and press publicity campaign has been mounted annually since FIS was introduced in 1971, generally to coincide with FIS upratings. The last compaign has been particularly successful in bringing in new claims. It is currently too early, however, to measure the exact increase, over previous years, in the numbers of families receiving FIS.
Looking ahead, I am pleased to say that FIS will be featured prominently in two new leaflets, which we intend to publish later this year. One will be a special leaflet for workers on low pay and the other for lone parents. We shall also increase our expenditure on FIS publicity from last year's total of £337,000 to £476,000 this year. I am now considering how best this can be applied and what further steps might be taken to stimulate take-up.