HC Deb 22 February 1982 vol 18 c295W
Mr. Campbell-Savours

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services how many (a) pensioners and (b) persons of non-pensionable age were being paid supplementary benefit at each office in the county of Cumbria during the period from 23 December 1981 to 19 January 1982.

1981. Mrs. Chalker

The latest available information relates to 9 December 1981, and is as follows:

Local Office Supplementary Supplementary
pensions allowances
Carlisle 3,000 4,300
Kendal 1,300 1,200
Penrith 800 800
Whitehaven 1,800 2,300
Workington 2,300 3,100
Barrow in Furness 3,700 3,800

Notes

Source

2. Figures rounded to nearest 100.

3. The figures may include people living outside the county of Cumbria itself.

Mr. John

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) what is his estimate of the net cost of restoring the 5 per cent. abatement of unemployment benefit (a) in 1982–83 and (b) in a full tax year;

(2) what is his estimate of the savings resulting from abolition of the earnings-related supplement to unemployment benefit (a) in 1981–82 and (b) in 1982–83.

Mrs. Chalker

I shall let the hon. Member have a reply as soon as possible.

Mr. John

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his most recent estimate of the cost of extending entitlement to the long-term rate of supplementary benefit to unemployed people (a) after a year on supplementary benefit and (b) after a year of unemployment; and how many people would benefit in either case.

Mrs. Chalker

It would cost about £210 million to extend the long-term rate to unemployed people if they qualified after a year in receipt of the ordinary rate of supplementary benefit. This assumes that some 600,000 claimants would qualify, at November 1981 benefit rates. I shall provide information in response to the second part of the hon. Gentleman's question as soon as possible.

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