§ Mr. Ashleyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) pursuant to the reply of 23 October 1981, if the figures for 1979 are now available which will show how many children were living in families below the supplementary benefit level, on supplementary' benefit with incomes up to 10 per cent., 20 per cent. and 40 per cent. above supplementary benefit level, classified by the employment status of the head of the family; and whether there were one or two parents;
(2) pursuant to the replies of 23 October 1981, Official Report, column 202, and 25 January, Official Report, column 281, on the basis of the 1979 family expenditure survey, how many children were living in families with incomes below supplementary benefit level and with incomes above but within 10 per cent., 20 per cent. and 40 per cent. of it, classified by the unemployment status of the head of the family and by whether there were one or two parents.
§ Mrs. Renée Shortasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is the latest estimate of the number of children (a) living below supplementary benefit level, (b) living in families receiving supplementary benefit and (c) living in families whose income is less than 40 per cent. above supplementary level.
§ Mr. Newton[pursuant to the replies, 25 January 1982, c. 281, and 25 February 1982, c. 491]: The information requested is shown in the following two tables. For families not receiving supplementary benefit—table 1—it is not possible to give reliable estimates for all of the categories, because some of the samples are too small. For families receiving supplementary benefit, a full breakdown is shown in table 2.
The figures are based on estimates contained in a set of tables under the general heading "Low Income Families—1979". I am sending copies to the right hon. Member and the hon. Member, from which they will note that a change in the method of arriving at the estimates has been introduced, in order to give a truer indication of the extent of low incomes. The change is explained in the notes accompanying the tables. I have also placed copies in the Library of the House.
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Employment category Below supplementary benefit level Above supplementary benefit level but within 10 per cent, of it Above supplementary benefit level but within 20 per cent, of it Above supplementary benefit level but within 40 per cent, of it Total below supplementary benefit and above supplementary benefit level but within 40 per cent, of it Families with Families Children Families Children Families Children Families Children Families Children Two parents [†] [†] [†] [†] [†] [†] [†] [†] [20] [20] One and two parents [40] [70] [10] [20] [10] [30] 60 110 110 180 Total numbers of families and children One parent [40] [60] [20] [20] [30] [60] 80 140 120 200 Two parents 100 200 50 130 120 290 380 900 490 1,100 One and two parents 140 260 70 150 150 360 460 1,040 600 1,300 Notes:
* Indicates that the number in the group is below 10,000.
† Indicates that the sample is too a reliable estimate to be made.
The figures shown in square brackets are subject to very considerable proportionate statistical error.
Table 2: Families receving Supplementary Benefit Great Britain—1979 average Thousands Employment category One-parent families Two-parent families One and two-parent families Families Children Families Children Families Children Sick or disabled for more than three months [*] [*] [10] [20] [10] [20] Unemployed for more than three months [*] [10] 110 280 120 280 Others 310 570 [*] [10] 320 580 Totals 320 580 130 310 450 880 Notes:
* indicates that the number in the group is below 10,000.
The figures shown in square brackets are subject to very considerable proportionate statistical error.
§ Dr. Owenasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what percentage of families in the following groups have incomes within 20 per cent. above supplementary benefit level (a) elderly single people, (b) elderly couples, (c) single adults, (d) couples without children, (e) couples with children and (f) single-parent families;
(2) what percentage of families in the following groups have incomes at supplementary benefit level or below (a) elderly single people, (b) elderly couples, (c) single adults, (d) couples without children, (e) couples with children and (f) single-parent families.
Great Britain Family group Percentage of families in each family group not in receipt of supplementary benefit but with incomes above but within 20 per cent, of the supplementary benefit level with incomes below the supplementary benefit level in receipt of supplementary benefit OVER PENSION AGE (a) Single persons 18 16 33 (b) Married couples 20 11 14 UNDER PENSION AGE (c) Single persons without children 2 5 5 (d) Married couples without children 1 1 1 (e) Married couples with children 2 2 2 (f) Single persons with children 4 5 38
§ Mr. Fieldasked the Secretary of State for Social Services when he expects to publish the latest family
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§ Mr. Newton[pursuant to the reply, 10 December 1981, c. 463]: The percentages requested are shown in the following table. The figures are based on estimates contained in a set of tables under the general heading "Low Income Families—1979". I am sending a copy to the right hon. Gentleman, from which he will note that a change in the method of arriving at the estimates has been introduced, in order to give a truer indication of the extent of low incomes. The change is explained in the notes accompanying the tables. I have also placed copies in the Library of the House.
expenditure survey data on the numbers of poor households; and if the material is ready for publication, if he will publish it in the Official Report.
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§ Miss Joan Lestorasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he is now able to update the information contained in tables 47.04 and 47.08 of the 1978 Social Security Statistics which give the estimated numbers of families and persons with income at or below the supplementary benefit level.
§ Mr. Newton[pursuant to the replies, 17 November 1981, c. 115, and 17 February 1982, c. 141.]: The estimates requested have been set out in a series of 414W comprehensive tables under the general heading "Low Income Families—1979". I regret that I am unable to justify the cost of reproducing these tables in the Official Report. I am therefore placing copies in the Library of the House and sending personal copies to the hon. Members. The hon. Members will note that a change in the method of arriving at the estimates has been introduced, in order to give a truer indication of the extent of low incomes. The change is explained in the notes accompanying the tables.