HC Deb 26 October 1982 vol 29 c370W
7. Mr. Meacher

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will estimate how many persons are now living in households which have a weekly income at or below the supplementary benefit level for their household type.

Mr. Newton:

The number of supplementary benefit recipients and their dependents was estimated to be 6.5 million in May. The corresponding group of people who had incomes below supplementary benefit level, but were not in receipt of that benefit was estimated to have averaged 2.1 million in 1979.