HC Deb 08 June 1982 vol 25 cc63-4W
Mr. Field

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will estimate for males and females separately how many of the three million registered unemployed have no dependants, have adult dependants only, have child dependants only and have adult and child dependants.

Mr. Newton

No information is collected about the dependency position of unemployed people registered for work. Information is however available about the number of unemployed people receiving unemployment and/or supplementary benefits in each of the categories prescribed by the hon. Member at the date when a count was made. Due to the effects of industrial action the latest figures we have are based on sample surveys carried out in November and December 1980. More up-to-date figures for people receiving unemployment benefit—with or without supplementary benefit—based on a sample survey carried out in February 1982 should be available within the next few weeks; and figures for unemployed people receiving supplementary benefit, based on a sample survey in December 1981, should be available by August. I shall write to the hon. Member with each set of figures.