HC Deb 14 December 1983 vol 50 cc509-10W
Sir Brandon Rhys Williams

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services, pursuant to the analysis in "Low Income Families 1981", if he will give a more detailed breakdown of the 1.8 million families with incomes below supplementary benefit levels, showing the main reasons why they have fallen through the social security safety net.

Dr. Boyson

[pursuant to his reply, 16 November 1983, c. 487]: The information requested is shown in the following table so far as it is available. Survey data do not record why individuals do not claim benefit.

Families (including single person) with income below supplementary benefit level analysed by benefit entitlement status (1981)
(thousands)
Group A
Total number apparently entitled to supplementary benefit but not claiming 1,110
Those apparently entitled to both supplementary benefit and housing rebates, but whose housing rebates would be higher 150

Complete hospital closures approved by ministers since May 1979
Region and area/district Hospital Date approved
NORTHERN
Cleveland Overdene Maternity Home June 1980
North Tyneside Willington Quay Maternity November 81
YORKSHIRE
Wakefield Headlands November 1981
Humberside Townend Maternity August 1979
Wakefield Newton Lodge Annexe November 1981
Wakefield Carr Gate November 1981
TRENT
Derbyshire Smedley Memorial February 1981
Derbyshire Parwich May 1981
NORTH WEST THAMES
Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster St. Columba's August 1980
Bedfordshire Doneswood Convalescent Home March 1981
Ealing, Hammersmith and Hounslow Temple Hill House March 1981
Brent Leamington Park August 1983
Barnet West Hendon September 1983
NORTH EAST THAMES
Enfield and Haringey Bearstead Memorial December 1980
City and East London Garrett Anderson Maternity Home September 1979
City and East London London Jewish February 1980
Haringey Prince of Wales November 1983
SOUTH EAST THAMES
Camberwell St. Giles August 1983
SOUTH WEST THAMES
East Surrey St. Benedict's September 1980
Wandsworth South London Hospital for Women November 1983
OXFORD
Oxford Cowley Road July 1980
(thousands)
Others 960
Group B
Total of those whose income is below supplementary benefit levels but who are not entitled to the benefit 650
Those employed full-time 130
Those self-employed full-time 120
Those with capital in excess of prescribed limits 160
Those apparently failing to satisfy availability for work requirements 240
TOTALS 1,760 1,760

Notes:

1. Estimates are rounded to the nearest 10,000.

2. Estimates are subject to the general rates contained in "Low Income Families—1981".